Los Angeles Lakers: 3 early candidates for the 22nd overall pick

By Jason Reed | May 25, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 22: Chris Duarte #5 of the Oregon Ducks dunks against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 22, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon

Chris Duarte is a senior out of Oregon that is expected to be picked somewhere in the 20s in the 2021 NBA Draft. Tankathon ranks Duarte as the 21st-ranked prospect in the draft while ESPN’s big board places him 25th.

Simply put, Chris Duarte is going to be right in the Los Angeles Lakers’ range with the 22nd overall selection.

As previously mentioned, the fact that Duarte is older and more developed is really helpful for his immediate impact on the Lakers. Similar to Kyle Kuzma, we could see Duarte have a bigger impact on the Lakers in year one but then not have the same ceiling as the one-and-done players taken early in the draft.

The case for Duarte is that the Lakers could need some backcourt help with all of the free agents that on expiring contracts this season. Dennis Schroder, Alex Caruso, Talen Horton-Tucker and Wesley Matthews are all free agents this offseason.

While point guard is a more pressing need, Duarte would add to the backcourt depth and would fit into the Lakers’ scheme quite nicely. He has size, is a great three-point shooter (42.4% last season) and is a really solid defensive player.

He is the definition of a three and D two-guard and he could instantly help the Lakers in that role next season and beyond.

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