Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bigs to target in the draft to replace current bigs
By Jason Reed
2. Daniel Oturu, Minnesota
Daniel Oturu is ranked a bit lower than Carey is and is mostly projected to be an early second-round pick. However, as we have seen countless times across every sport, big boards are not perfect and the Lakers will select a good fit before the best available.
If Carey is off the board in the first round then I like Oturu as the next-best big-man option to pick with the 29th overall pick. Tankathon and ESPN both rank him 36th, although NBADraft.Net ranks him as the 26th-best prospect.
Oturu has an extra season of collegiate experience, which can make a difference. That makes him a year older and essentially gives him a year advantage in his NBA development. That progression showed in his second college season.
Oturu took a huge step in his sophomore year as he averaged 20.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 33.9 minutes per game.
Oturu is a bit more skilled than Carey, although Carey would probably struggle less in the NBA talent jump because of his strength. Oturu is a really solid rim protector and rebounder, which is essentially all the Lakers need if the goal is to replace McGee and/or Howard.
He also adds a different dynamic as he can stretch the floor when needed as well, which as we know, is very valuable in 2020. Oturu shot 36.5 percent from beyond the arc in 1.7 attempts per game. Not a lights out shooter, but capable.