Lakers Rumors: De’Andre Hunter considered at No. 4 pick in mock drafts
By Ronald Agers
Draft DeAndre Hunter, if he plays, who’s got to go?
If the Los Angeles Lakers are chasing free agents like they say they are, De’Andre Hunter does not fit in the future plans in no type of fashion.
Let’s check out what ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on Pardon The Interruption on LeBron James and his recruitment efforts the last few weeks.
We are not going into the speculation of the Lakers getting Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler in free agency. We can discuss the position these two players play; small forward.
If the Lakers truly believe that they can collect one of these players in free agency, Hunter has no place on the roster. If he was drafted, it would have to be to use in a package to unload some of the OTHER wings and players on the roster like Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball or a combination for a run at a big time player this summer.
The problem in that scenario is the Lakers will have traded away another set of young players that they drafted dealing with the possibility that they blossom into star players such as Julius Randle, and D’Angelo Russell. Even Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. turned out to be solid rotational players. Can the Lakers live with that gamble mortgaging their future for LeBron James’ win now program?
This situation will depend on the front office of the Lakers being able to close the deal on these free agents that LeBron James reportedly is recruiting.
Either that or if DeAndre Hunter is drafted and kept, what style of play will Frank Vogel implement. The only thing we know is, we have no clue on either scenario, hence why it’s not about the draft, but about Lakers rumors.