Los Angeles Lakers: Way-too-early draft candidates for the 2020 NBA Draft
By Jason Reed
Los Angeles Lakers way-too-early draft target: Killian Tillie, PF, Gonzaga
If the Los Angeles Lakers had any intention of trading Kyle Kuzma this offseason then it would be because the team is looking at drafting Killian Tillie. For who will likely be available in the late first-round, Tillie is literally the perfect prospect to replace Kuzma on the Los Angeles Lakers.
First and foremost, which is something that I think gets overlooked far too often, Tillie is 22 years old. He has four years of collegiate basketball under his belt and was one of the highest touted international college basketball prospects before signing with Gonzaga.
Having multiple years of experience in college helps a player have a shorter learning curve in the league. While these players might not have the highest potential, they often reach that potential much quicker. Look at Kyle Kuzma compared to Brandon Ingram.
So Tillie would be able to come into the league and be 85 percent of what he could be in the NBA right away, which is absolutely huge for a Lakers team that could need to replace Kyle Kuzma.
Tillie is a better version of Kuzma, at least better in the sense of how he fits the Lakers. He is a 6-10 forward who could realistically play at the three as a stretch forward. He is shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc throughout his collegiate career.
He is projected to be an early second-round pick.