One Lakers draft target at each position with the 17th overall pick
![GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Cason Wallace #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats brings the ball up court against the Kansas State Wildcats in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum on March 19, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Cason Wallace #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats brings the ball up court against the Kansas State Wildcats in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum on March 19, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7f750b992e8b4c11099f87c57e26a4126d1f85b401af19b9dd0a9502a0ff72ab.jpg)
Lakers center draft target: Dereck Lively Jr, Duke
Dereck Lively Jr. is a highly-touted 7-foot-1 center out of Duke. As a freshman, Lively showed promise and earned multiple accolades, including ACC All-Defense, ACC All-Freshman, and ACC All-Tournament.
Lively’s greatest strength is his 7-foot-7 wingspan, which allows him to catch balls at the high point over other tall defenders, giving him an advantage when it comes to finishing at the rim. He also showed a good understanding of his role as an offensive player at Duke, primarily featuring as a roll and cut big. His athleticism and wingspan combine to make him a fearsome lob threat from all angles. He rarely attempted three-pointers, but his stroke is not bad and could be developed at the next level.
The three-point shot isn't in Dereck Lively II's arsenal yet. However, I expect him to improve quickly on that end.
— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) May 14, 2023
Had two pick-and-pop possessions last year; the shot didn't fall, but the form looks promising. pic.twitter.com/5yifHXdIiJ
Additionally, Lively was probably the best shot-blocker in college basketball last season, averaging 7.2 blocks per 100 possessions. On the defensive end, Lively will be able to adapt to virtually any defensive scheme in the NBA, making him a valuable asset for any team. His defensive abilities will only improve as he learns from the best defensive player in the world in Anthony Davis if he were to get drafted by the Lakers.
However, Lively needs to work on his rebounding and become stronger for the next level. He needs to develop a more refined post-up game and improve his free-throw shooting, which currently stands at 60 percent.
Overall, Lively’s rare combination of size, athleticism, and shot-blocking prowess make him an intriguing prospect for any team in need of a plug-and-play center. With a bit of development, he could become an impactful player in the NBA.
NBA Comparison: Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler
Next. 22 players the Lakers gave up on too early. dark