Lakers: 5 players LA could buy/trade into the 2nd round to take

3. Xavier Tillman

If the Lakers held on to the 28th pick in the draft, Xavier Tillman would have been high on their list to select if he fell that far in the first round. So if he fell to the second round it is obviously likely that they would try to make a move to snag the right to select him.

Tillman has tremendous experience by playing three seasons under one of the most respected college coaches in America, in Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans. His time in East Lansing included two trips to the NCAA tournament, a Final Four appearance, and it would have been a third NCAA tournament had it not been canceled this season.

Individually Tillman accomplished a ton in college as well, he was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Second-team All-Big Ten in 2020, and in 2019 he was the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. He proved that he can be a big-time player in college either coming off the bench or starting, and that could be a potential asset for the Lakers.

What makes Tillman’s game stand out is his ability to create as a big man from the high post, something that the Lakers currently lack on the roster outside of AD. Tillman would be the ideal player to be a backup center or play alongside Davis in a starting role because of his potential to be an intimidating presence down low.

Recently, Lakers legend Magic Johnson tweeted about Tillman entering the NBA draft, this is what he had to say.

As usual Magic gives the breakdown we all needed and perfectly lays out why the Lakers should be interested in drafting his fellow Spartan.

He will likely go in the mid to late first round because of his defensive talents, but since centers have been devalued in the league and even Bol Bol went in the second round last season, it is not insane to think he could fall there.