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Los Angeles Lakers: 2 international draft prospects to target at 28

By Jason Reed

France's Theo Maledon on his way to score a point during an All Star Game basketball match of the French Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB) between a selection of the best international players from the Pro A league against a selection of the best French players, at the AccorHotels Arena, in Paris on December 29, 2018. - The LNB All Star Game is an exhibition match between a team of the best French players and a team of the best international players of the French Elite basketball league. (Photo by Lucas BARIOULET / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCAS BARIOULET/AFP via Getty Images)
France's Theo Maledon on his way to score a point during an All Star Game basketball match of the French Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB) between a selection of the best international players from the Pro A league against a selection of the best French players, at the AccorHotels Arena, in Paris on December 29, 2018. - The LNB All Star Game is an exhibition match between a team of the best French players and a team of the best international players of the French Elite basketball league. (Photo by Lucas BARIOULET / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCAS BARIOULET/AFP via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Theo Maledon

Theo Maledon is projected to go a bit higher than the 28th overall pick but he could realistically be available at 28 for the Lakers as he is within five spots on both big boards. Tankathon actually has Maledon going to the Utah Jazz with the 23rd overall pick.

Maledon is instantly an intriguing option who could be a fit on the Lakers because of his position. The Lakers could potentially be losing both Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency this season, leaving a hole at the one guard.

Maledon is exciting because of his defensive potential. Maledon has the frame to be a fantastic defender at the NBA level and in Frank Vogel’s system. He is also a capable-enough shooter and absolutely could be molded into an above-average shooter at the NBA level.

The 19-year-old does have some question marks around how high his ceiling can be, as do most international prospects and he will not make a massive difference right away. However, Maledon does have promising potential as an NBA talent.

Maledon has natural point guard skills and if that can mature to the NBA game then he is going to be an average facilitator. If he can also turn his promising shooting marks, with his smooth stroke, into being an off-ball scorer then he could be a multi-dimensional point guard.

That is promising.

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