2. Jared Butler
The Ringer’s NBA Draft Big Board ranks Jared Butler as the 23rd overall prospect in the 2021 NBA Draft so he is right in the Los Angeles Lakers’ range. The conversation around Butler is very similar to the conversation around Duarte.
The ceiling is not as high for Butler because of his age and the time he spent in college. However, the Lakers selecting him in the draft would indicate that they are buying in on someone to contribute right away. If they were to select a raw freshman with physical traits then that could be viewed as an asset selection.
The Lakers really need to figure out the point guard position this offseason and Butler would help that cause. Dennis Schroder and Alex Caruso are both free agents and the team is going to need to bring in a second playmaker that can take some of the burden off of LeBron James.
There is always the possibility of trading for someone such as Russell Westbrook, which is currently in the Lakers rumors mill. That wouldn’t stop the Lakers from taking Butler if they really liked him.
Butler is money from downtown, nailing 41.6% of his three-point shots last season, and is a proven winner at the collegiate level. Even if his playmaking needs work (who better to learn from than LeBron James) he still gives the Lakers shooting and defense.
In fact, the Lakers may be the ideal landing spot for Butler. The Lakers present an opportunity where he will not be asked to do too much playmaking right away and can ease into that role while also contending for a championship. Then, over time and learning from LeBron, Butler could blossom into a true facilitating point guard that can also make a team pay from three.