Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk was a good pick

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: Magic Johnson, the Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations, stands with the team's 2018 NBA draft picks Moritz Wagner #15 and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk #19 during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

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Los Angeles Lakers advance to Summer League championship game

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. He’s a solid playmaker and defender

The most surprising thing that Svi showed in Summer League was the ability to the ball on the floor and put defenders on skates with his handle. He also looked really comfortable initiating the pick and roll as well, creating shots for himself and others.

Coming into the draft, Mykhailiuk was looked at as just a spot up 3-point shooter, but he did show some signs of being able to create his own offense in his career. In the under 20 2016 FIBA Championship, 38% of his offense came in pick and roll or isolation, compared to 12.7% as an SR.

Magic Johnson mentioned in an interview during the Summer League championship game, that they had their eye on Svi when he entered the draft last season. He said when he went to scout Mykhailiuk this year he was surprised at his ability to defend players that were bigger than him.

The ability to defend and create his own shot on offense, are two of the primary qualities that LeBron James mentioned he wanted players on his team to have. When James was seen sitting courtside at the game, Svi had one of his best performances putting in 19 points on 7-15 shooting (2-5 from three). Maybe he impressed his new teammate enough to earn a spot on the floor next to him when the regular season starts.

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