4 prospects the Los Angeles Lakers should evaluate in March Madness

Juniors who may declare early that the Los Angeles Lakers should watch:

If these underclassmen declare early for the draft, the Lakers should consider trading a future draft pick and/or cash considerations to snag these players in the second round or as undrafted free agents. Or at the very least, the Los Angeles Lakers should have these guys on the radar in the 2022 NBA Draft sometime in the second round.

Michigan State Forward Aaron Henry, Junior:

If he declares for the NBA Draft, Aaron Henry can be yet another great wing coming out of Michigan State. He is a big, athletic wing who is tough enough to be a Michigan State Spartan.

However, Henry’s three-point shooting has come and gone, to put it mildly. Henry initially shot 40% from three-point range in his freshman season, albeit on fewer attempts. Over the last two seasons, he shot closer to 30% on more attempts.

No worries! His shooting stroke looks good! He averages over 15 points per game!

https://twitter.com/marchmadness/status/1372744820754579465

I would attribute Henry’s shooting regression to his usage rate going up. Those numbers will improve once he takes fewer three-pointers. Not to mention, Henry will quickly adapt to Lakers head coach Frank Vogel’s physical, defensive-minded style of play given Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo has long demanded toughness and defense in his program.

Whether Henry can develop into the so-called “3 and D” prospect NBA scouts so badly covet is an unknown. But it is worth it for Rob Pelinka to trade for Henry if he is available towards the back half of the second round. As long as his shooting percentages improve with a lower usage rate, Henry’s size and athleticism will make him into a viable rotation player.

Picking him up as an undrafted free agent would be a good move as well. Although, given the Michigan State pedigree, Henry will likely be taken by somebody in the second round.

Syracuse guard Buddy Boeheim, Junior:

Yes, Buddy Boeheim is longtime Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim’s son. Buddy was a toddler when Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse to their only national championship. It is quite possible Boeheim declares for the draft if Syracuse has a deep tournament run.

Very rarely does a coach’s son at high-level division one programs end up getting any kind of playing time. Buddy Boeheim has broken the mold in a noble quest to give his father one last shot at glory in the NCAA Tournament.

Anthony had the ability, even back then, to get buckets in a hurry. Boeheim does too. This highlight montage shows just how good Boeheim is as a catch-and-shoot threat. I see him as a legit NBA prospect judging by how he quickly gets his shot off.

Not to mention, he stands at a solid 6’6” so his shot won’t get blocked nor will he have to always guard opposing point guards. Given the Lakers can always use another spot-up shooter, Boeheim would be intriguing as a late second-round pick or as an undrafted free agent.

Just understand, the Lakers can always use a shooter coming off the bench. If Boeheim can provide any kind of playmaking or defense from the shooting guard position, he may prove to be a decent rotation player for the Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers should always evaluate and search for opportunities to find key players in the back half of the second round. With the NBA struggling financially, this is an opportunity for the Lakers to get a late second-round pick just for cash considerations.

The Lakers will lack draft capital for the foreseeable future, so Rob Pelinka must continue to knock his draft selections out of the park.

Do you have someone who the Lakers should have on their radar during March Madness? Please leave a comment and let us know.