Lakers Rumors: R.J. Barrett prefers to play in LA or for New York Knicks
Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve 2019 NBA Draft prospect R.J. Barrett, who is hoping to get drafted by either the Lakers or New York Knicks in June.
Since the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery has concluded, there have been plenty of Los Angeles Lakers rumors popping up. The Lakers got lucky in the lottery, moving all the way up into the top-4 despite having only a 9.4 percent chance of doing so.
Los Angeles ended up with the No. 4 overall pick, jumping up from their projected spot of 11th. As a result, the Lakers have opened up a lot of options this offseason.
The 4th pick could be dangled in trade talks, giving them more ammunition to acquire a big name player such as Anthony Davis or Bradley Beal to play alongside LeBron James. Or, they could decide to hold onto the selection and add to their young core of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart.
There is a consensus that the top three prospects in this year’s draft class are Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett out of Duke and Ja Morant out of Murray State. Williamson and Morant are expected to go No. 1 and No. 2, with Barrett going third.
That would mean that Williamson is destined for the New Orleans Pelicans, with Morant heading to the Memphis Grizzlies, presumably. That would leave Barrett for the New York Knicks at the No. 3 spot.
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Nothing is official until the names are called, as things could change between now and then. If Barrett has his wish, he will be playing in a big market.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Barrett is hoping that he lands with either the Lakers or Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft. With the No. 3 and No. 4 selections, it seems likely that Barrett will be selected by one of those teams. Will he actually suit up for one of those teams is a totally different story.
It is no secret that the Knicks and Lakers have big plans for the upcoming offseason. They will both go hunting for stars in free agency while also trying to pry Davis away from the Pelicans.
It would be a pretty big shock if Barrett is still on the board when the Lakers get on the clock with the No. 4 pick. But, you never know what the Knicks will do.
Next. 4 Players To Consider With 4th Pick In 2019 NBA Draft. dark
If Barrett is off the board, the Lakers have a multitude of options to consider. Jarrett Culver, De’Andre Hunter and Darius Garland would all be in play should the top three picks go according to how many analysts think it will.