Los Angeles Lakers: How are all the Lakers’ draft choices doing?
By Ed Schrenzel
2015 Draft
D’Angelo Russell – Chosen at No. 2, the first time the Lakers had picked that high since they took James Worthy No. 1 in 1982. Russell, who was only 19 when he was drafted, wasn’t quite ready to take a leadership role yet.
In his two Lakers seasons, DAR averaged 14 points and four assists. When the Lakers wanted to get rid of Timofey Mozgov’s contract, they traded him and Russell to the Nets for Brook Lopez and a draft pick (which they used on Kuzma).
Russell blossomed with the Nets, averaging 19 points and six assists, and making the All-Star team last year before signing as a free agent with Golden State. He had been one of the few bright for the Warriors, who have been devastated by injuries, averaging a career-best and team-high 23.6 PPG, before being traded to Minnesota, where he has continued to shine offensively.
Overall: Because the Western Conference is loaded with great backcourt players, Russell did not earn a second All-Star appearance. Although his defense is at best average, he still has a bright future.
Larry Nance Jr. was a surprise pick at No. 27, but, he soon became a fan favorite in large part because of his acrobatic dunks. In nearly three seasons, he averaged nearly seven points and six rebounds a game.
He was traded with Clarkson to Cleveland, where he continues to perform well off the bench. This season his numbers are 9.5 points and 7.3 rebounds, consistent with his averages with the Cavs.
Overall: Nance is a solid big man reserve.
Anthony Brown at No. 34 was one of the few flops the Lakers drafted this decade. He has bounced around the league, playing for four teams but never sticking, and is no longer playing in the NBA. Another perimeter player, Josh Richardson, was taken six picks later, and currently starts for Philadelphia where he averages nearly 15 points per game and shoots 34 percent from deep.
Overall: Brown didn’t work out as an NBA player, and turned out to be one of the few bad draft picks the team made.