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3 dream prospects the Lakers could have drafted with the eighth pick

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 11: AJ Griffin #21 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the first half against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes in the 2022 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament - Semifinals at Barclays Center on March 11, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 11: AJ Griffin #21 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the first half against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes in the 2022 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament - Semifinals at Barclays Center on March 11, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Dyson Daniels

Dyson Daniels is not coming from college as he instead took the G League route and is the best prospect to take this route in the entire draft class this season. Most projections have Daniels going in the 7-10 range and there is a good chance that he will be on the board for the Pelicans to potentially pick with the eighth overall pick.

While Daniels does not have the age benefactor of being more polished as he comes into the league, playing in the G League may have prepared him more than collegiate basketball would have. Last year both Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga came from the G League and they both were instead contributors.

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Daniels would get blocked a bit by Russell Westbrook and there would be a concern about how that could hinder his development in the league. Because of his play style, Daniels may not have much of an impact in year one.

However, the long-term potential of Daniels is really exciting as he has all the makings of being a great two-way guard. He is a fantastic playmaker with the ball and he is arguably the best on-ball and perimeter defender in this entire class.

His three-point shot needs work but if the Lakers were able to get Alex Caruso to shoot over 40% from three then they could probably help Daniels as well. We will never know if that is the case and hopefully Daniels ends up on a team that can develop him and utilizes him properly because the ceiling is really exciting.

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