Lakers Rumors: Darius Garland leaves draft combine with possible promise

(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers Rumors
(Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /

We know Darius Garland can shoot, how about defending?

Most would be skeptical of a guard coming into the league at a reported 6’3 and 179 pounds (6’5 wingspan). The question will be can Garland defend the quick guards that run rampant in the Western Conference?

You know the Stephen Curry‘s, Damian Lillard’s and that Russell Westbrook dude in OKC is just a few players that Garland will be dealing with.

But in this video, you will see that Darius Garland is a willing defender. In that case alone, he will be a welcome addition to a team that basically called it a season defensively after Lonzo Ball got injured.

Plus, it’s another reason to send Rajon Rondo and his $9 million dollar contract packing.

All rookies struggle on defense as they learn the NBA game. Hopefully, Frank Vogel brought his Indiana Pacers defensive playbook instead of the one from Orlando. That would help.

Plus, if Lonzo Ball is fully healed from that devastating ankle injury from last year and Brandon Ingram returns from blood clots, they can clean up some of Darius Garland’s mistakes. Both of them are good defenders and will boost the Lakers 29th ranked defense after Ball’s injury.