Los Angeles Lakers: Power ranking the positions by draft need

4. Small forward

Many of the same things that are true for the power forward position are true for the small forward position as well. James playing as much as he does reduces the need for a small forward, especially in today’s NBA where you can essentially get away with a shooting guard at the “three”.

However, you can make more of a case to draft a three rather than a four. The name of the game in the NBA is the three-point shot and the best thing to get alongside LeBron is shooters and three-point shooters. That opens the possibility of getting a three and D wing with length if the right fit is there.

While it is not something that the Lakers will likely be pursuing, I would not completely rule out the team drafting a small forward if someone they like falls to them at 22. This also could be the move if the team goes against what I am predicting they will do and drafts another developmental player instead of a rookie that can help right away.

Regardless, there is a very specific player profile that could come via a small forward and that is why we should at least consider the position. It might not be the most likely position to be selected, but it should not be ruled out as much as the power forward position.