3 sharpshooters the Lakers can add in the 2023 NBA Draft
By Jason Reed
For the first time since the team selected Moritz Wagner in the 2018 NBA Draft the Los Angeles Lakers have a pick in the first round. Los Angeles has the 17th overall pick in the draft after getting their selection back from the New Orleans Pelicans.
There are some talented prospects that LA can bring in to help this youth movement in the 2023 NBA Draft. Los Angeles also has the 47th pick and has one of the best scouting and developmental departments in the game. There is real potential for the Lake Show to add some special young players.
Among the traits the Lakers should be scouting for is three-point shooting. It is imperative in today’s game and is a trait that is going to translate regardless of how the roster looks in multiple years.
Sharpshooters the Lakers can add in the 2023 NBA Draft:
Brandin Podziemski
Brandin Podziemski is someone who the Lakers could look to draft in the second round with the 47th overall pick. Podziemski is projected to be an early-to-mid second-round pick and if he falls to LA at 47 then it might be too hard for the team to pass on the Santa Clara prospect.
Coming from a small school certainly inflates the numbers and lowers his draft stock but there is a lot to like in Podziemski’s game. In 36 minutes per game last season the 20-year-old two-guard averaged 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals. He shot 43.8% from three in 5.8 attempts per game while shooting 48.3% from the field overall.
The competition wasn’t very high but he is obviously someone who can knock down shots and can create for himself as well. The Lakers have had a lot of past success with small school prospects who produce at a high level and Podziemski very well could be the next example.