Los Angeles Lakers select Coby White in latest NBA Mock Draft
In a recent Bleacher Report mock draft, the Los Angeles Lakers added North Carolina guard, Coby White.
The season has not gone according to plan for the Los Angeles Lakers. Many people believed this is when the team would be gearing up for a playoff push behind LeBron James. Instead, they are staring at a nearly impossible task of qualifying for the postseason.
Los Angeles currently sits in 10th place in the Western Conference, 5.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs, who reside in the eighth spot. The Sacramento Kings are in ninth, while the Minnesota Timberwolves are tied with the Lakers.
This was not the position the organization thought that they would be in. With only 18 games remaining, the Lakers have less than a one percent chance to make the playoffs.
With the playoffs unlikely, the Lakers will turn their focus to the offseason earlier than anticipated. The first item of business during the offseason for Los Angeles will be the 2019 NBA Draft.
A lottery pick is unexpected, but it will give the organization some options this summer. A lottery pick is a much better asset on the trade market if they look to shake up the roster in that fashion; we’re looking at you, New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis.
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They could also decide to hold onto the selection, adding another young piece to a roster that should be operating with the thought process of what to do after LeBron James moves on.
Right now, the Lakers are projected to be the No. 12 overall pick in the draft. Fans didn’t think mock drafts would be important to the Lakers this soon, but they look like they once again will be.
In Bleacher Report‘s most recent NBA Mock Draft, the Lakers selected North Carolina Tar Heels guard, Coby White.
As pointed out by Bleacher Report, White is an excellent 3-point shooter. That has been a glaring need for the Lakers throughout the season, and White would fix that right away. White ranks in the 97th percentile for spot-up shooting. His catch-and-shoot percentage currently sits at a gaudy 47.8 percent.
That kind of floor spacing would greatly improve the Lakers’ offense. Too often this season they have been let down by inconsistent 3-point shooting, leading to a stagnant offense and poor spacing. Opposing defenses were able to collapse and stuff the paint, congesting things and making it difficult for Los Angeles to get easy shots.
One reason the Lakers’ offseason went the way it did was that Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka wanted more ball handlers and playmakers around LeBron James to lessen the load on his shoulders. White would accomplish that as well, as he ranks in the 98th percentile for pick-and-roll passing.
At 6’5″, White provides the size to play both backcourt spots. That means he won’t be relegated to only playing backup minutes behind Lonzo Ball as the two could play alongside each other. White and Ball could become a terror for opposing backcourts because of their length and size.
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While picking in the lottery will disappoint some fans, this gives the Lakers a chance to continue adding talent to the roster at an affordable rate. White would fill a number of holes for the Lakers, as his 3-point shooting and playmaking would both be assets for the team.