Lakers Rumors: Lakers to work out French prospect Darel Poirier

Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve 2019 NBA Draft prospects, as the team is reportedly working out French prospect, Darel Poirier.

Los Angeles Lakers rumors have run rampant in recent days. They say pictures can say a thousand words. For this article, our esteemed Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum definitely applies to what is going on with the Lakers potential move on draft night. By the end of the article, you will understand.

Lake Show Life would like to interrupt the Los Angeles Lakers ongoing reality show, “As the Front Office Fails” for a special announcement.

There is an NBA Draft that is coming on Thursday, June 20th. For a little while, Lakers fans can take a much-needed break from Magic Johnson‘s media tour, Rob Pelinka being an inspiration for every late night comedy monologue and Jeanie Buss’ disappearing act to report on a potential prospect the Lakers will be bringing in on Friday.

The Lakers are bringing in Darel Poirier, a very raw and unknown player from France in for a pre-draft workout according to Nicola Lupo of Sportando. 

He spent last season in the G League playing for the Capital City Go-Go, the affiliate of the Washington Wizards. For the team, Poirier averaged 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds and a block in 20 minutes.

As for his analysis of how Poirier will help the Lakers, here is what you might hear.

At 6’11”, Darel Poirier is an athletic big man who can stretch the floor by knocking down the 3-point shot. He knocked down 34% of his 3-pointers in the G League and his athleticism would be a pennies on the dollar cheap replacement of Moritz Wagner if he is included in a trade in the offseason. Even though his game is raw, he is the type of player NBA teams are looking for.

Now if you want reality, just take a look at Lake Show Life’s breakdown of Mike Muscala, close your eyes and imagine Poirier having the same responsibilities.

Considering how raw Poirier is, if the Lakers keep him (G League or stash him overseas) expect the same amount of production as the Lakers got from Muscala; not much.

He participated in the G League elite camp but was not selected to be a part of the NBA combine. In reality, Darel Poirier is what they call a project.

After the season, Poirier went overseas to play with the Italian club Reggio Emilia but never played a game for them. Most mock drafts, at best, have Darel Poirier as a second round pick and he is not in ESPN’s top 100 prospects. This means that more than likely he will go through draft night with his name not being called.

So why in the world would the Lakers even take a look at Darel Poirier?

The Los Angeles Lakers now have themselves in a little bit of a predicament. Fans rejoiced when the Lakers beat the odds and snatched the No. 4 overall pick in the draft. What most fans do not know is that the lottery pick is the only pick the Lakers have. They do not own a second round pick. The Lakers may try to get back into the second round by making a move.

Here’s why.

Now that the Lakers have the 4th pick in the draft, they sit about $200,000 short of having the money needed to bring in the max-level free agent that will be chasing this summer.

This scenario only fits if the roster stays intact and there are no Anthony Davis moves, Lonzo Ball to Chicago or Bradley Beal trades.

Now, how will the Los Angeles Lakers get the money needed to get to that threshold? Look for the Lakers to make a trade for the second round pick.

These are usually deals that are made during commercial breaks and long after Adam Silver is done announcing the first round. Mark Tatum will definitely be the man announcing this deal if it happens.

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My guess is the Lakers will move Isaac Bonga for that second round pick. Then the Lakers can use that pick on Poirier and stash him overseas. That allows the team more salary cap flexibility to get the free agent they want.

Isaac Bonga played well in the G League for the South Bay Lakers but showed next to nothing when called up.

Plus, Bonga is a guard on a team full of ball handlers that would have even more if they land a free agent like Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, etc. Looking at this roster, there is absolutely no depth in the frontcourt. The roster is full of guards and wings and Bonga will be caught up in the numbers game.

This potential plan of jumping into the second round accomplishes two important tasks for the Lakers on draft night. One, they can obtain a big man that they can develop overseas and two, collect a couple more dollars to obtain a free agent.

The draft is a fluid situation and a lot of information (truth and rumors) will be floating around. Keep it locked to the number one source for Los Angeles Lakers draft coverage.