Los Angeles Lakers select Ja Morant in Bleacher Report NBA Mock Draft

With the 23rd overall pick in Bleacher Report’s way too early 2019 NBA Mock Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Murray State point guard, Ja Morant.

The Los Angeles Lakers have high hopes for the 2018-19 regular season. They are confident that they will snap their five-year playoff drought, which will take them out of the NBA Draft Lottery for the first time in a while.

Los Angeles has done an excellent job of adding talent in recent years via the draft. Whether it is lottery picks such as Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, or later picks such as Kyle Kuzma or Josh Hart, the Lakers have struck gold.

While the 2018-19 season has not even begun yet, as the preseason wrapped up this week, some people are already looking ahead to the 2019 NBA Draft. Over at Bleacher Report, they have already put together their way too early NBA Mock Draft.

Things will undoubtedly change between now and the 2019 NBA Draft in June. Draft picks could be exchanged, while evaluations for collegiate players will become more detailed.

Which players will be available, and where teams will be selecting, is anyone’s guess at this point in time. However, Bleacher Report took their best shot at predicting things.

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With the No. 23 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Lakers were mocked Murray State point guard, Temetrius ‘Ja’ Morant.

Playing at a high mid-major, Morant isn’t someone the casual basketball fan will know. However, he had a great freshman year with the Racers, scoring 12.7 points with 6.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 0.9 steals per game.

How good were those numbers? According to College Basketball Reference, Morant was one of only two players to average at least 10 points, six rebounds and six assists per game last season. Lonzo Ball also accomplished that stat during his freshman season at UCLA.

There is no denying the skill that Morant has, based on his statistics. He is a gifted athlete and has good size, standing 6’3 and weighing 170 pounds. As he continues growing into his body, he should be able to switch between both guard spots with ease. That kind of versatility is key at the next level.

Morant is already regarded as a solid defender and is an excellent rebounder for his position. However, he does need to work on his jump shot. He made only 30.7 percent of his 3-point attempts. There is hope that will improve, however, as he is a good free throw shooter, making 80.6 percent during his freshman season.

If Morant can continue developing his jump shot and add more strength, he should garner attention from scouts. Playing at Murray State will also provide doubters, but Morant can silence some of those people with another strong season.

Given the current state of the Lakers’ roster, another point guard seems unnecessary. However, if players such as Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Lance Stephenson, all on one-year deals, leave in free agency, they will need to restock the depth chart.