The Los Angeles Lakers selected Moritz Wagner in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft, but these three players would have been better selections.
Chosen late in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Moritz Wagner was thought to have some potential as a center who could stretch the floor. He hasn’t panned out so far, and an argument could be made that the Lakers wasted this pick
In recent years, the Lakers have done a really strong job when it comes to the draft. In addition to their solid lottery picks, they’ve made some notable decisions with low draft picks, such as Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr, Ivica Zubac and Josh Hart.
It was thought that German national Victor Moritz Wagner could be the next in the line of diamonds in the rough for the Purple and Gold. Chosen with the 25th pick a year ago, he showed the ability to hit the long ball while at the University of Michigan, shooting over 39 percent from downtown in his sophomore and junior seasons as a Wolverine.
So far, it hasn’t really translated to the NBA. In 43 games for the Lakers this past season, he shot a terrible 28.6 percent from beyond the arc, and brought little to no value in other facets of the game, as he averaged just 2.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.3 steals and 0.3 blocks per game in 10.4 minutes.
As it turned out, the Lakers amended the Anthony Davis trade to send him to the Washington Wizards in order to clear enough space for a max salary spot with the intention of offering it to Kawhi Leonard.
Later in the summer, the Lakers still needed a backup center, as JaVale McGee can’t play heavy minutes due to his asthma, and Anthony Davis would much rather play the 4 than the 5.
Since Wagner didn’t pan out and was shipped out, the team signed DeMarcus Cousins, who then tore his ACL in early August. To rectify that spot in the wake of his injury, the Lakers then picked up Dwight Howard.
Both signings have been seen as risky, as they both have had injury and attitude issues.
Hindsight is 20/20, but seeing that Leonard chose the Clippers (and may have been thinking Clippers dating back to last summer), maybe the Lakers should’ve drafted someone else and kept that other player, as the $2.06 million Wagner is going to make this season may not have set the Lakers back too much.
Who else should the Lakers have drafted instead? We take a look at three options that would help the team.