Los Angeles Lakers draft target: Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona
A highly-touted recruit coming out high school, Mannion had some pretty high expectations coming into his freshman season at Arizona. He somewhat was able to live up to them but he still left a bit to be desired. Coming into the season, he was regarded as a fringe lottery pick but his up-and-down campaign has led him to slip to a late first-round projection, according to SI’s Jeremy Woo.
He profiles as a strong fit for the Lakers because he is an excellent passer and a floor general who can slide in nicely as the primary ball-handler the team desperately needs when LeBron is off the floor.
Mannion is a little undersized at 6’3″, 190 with a 6’2.5″ wingspan, which will make defending opposing NBA guards a challenge, but he still would be an upgrade on both ends of the floor over Rajon Rondo at this point in his career.
He would likely battle with Alex Caruso for minutes as the backup PG, but his experience and comfort in running the show on offense hold value that Caruso doesn’t necessarily possess. I believe he would be a steal at the end of the first round for the Lakers if he is still available.