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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 players to target in the 2020 NBA Draft

By Oleg Svystun

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Los Angeles Lakers draft target: Jalen Smith

We’re going to stick our theme here; gritty, physical big men. The difference with Jalen Smith is that he’s probably got the best offensive game out of all our aforementioned big men. Smith averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game this past season. He did this while shooting 53.8% from the field, and 36.8% from deep.

Like some of our previous mentions, Smith can have an impact on day 1 due to his exceptional rebounding and shot-blocking. He’d also help spread the floor as a legitimate 3 point threat.

One of our favorite things about Smith is his steady and gradual improvement since he’s come into college. He’s gained over 20lbs of muscle in 2 years at Maryland, and his body should continue to mature and round out as he enters the league.

He went from shooting 27% from 3 in his first year to almost 37% in his second. This past season, he played his absolute best basketball at the end of the season and again displayed obvious growth and improvement over the duration of this season.

During a 5-game Maryland winning streak, Jalen Smith was posting a 20.8 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.6 BPG, and a 44% 3PT stat line.

He’ll have to adjust to the NBA’s speed and physicality, and round out his body. He may not make as profound of an immediate impact as some of the other options, but he has significantly more offensive upside than any of them.

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