After acquiring a first round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft from the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers will have a plethora of options come June 21.
Thanks to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 2018 offseason will be much more interesting.
Not only did their deal at the trade deadline open up enough cap space for Los Angeles to pursue LeBron James and Paul George, but it also sent them a first round pick as a pretty bow to top off the package. Now the Lakers are capable of making a splash during both the 2018 NBA Draft and 2018 NBA free agency.
Seeing as the draft comes first, I’ve decided to take a look at a few prospects who could be on their radar. The Cavaliers’ pick figures to fall in the 23-27 range. As we all know, though, the Lakers are more than capable of striking gold near the end of the first round. Names like Larry Nance Jr., Ivica Zubac, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart come to mind.
The 2018 draft class’ overwhelming amount of talent helps too. There figures to be a ton of talent entering the league in June, which could open the door for a couple of gems to slip through the cracks. If the Lakers’ outstanding scouting staff can sniff them out, we could see another Kuzma in the making.
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Either way, it’s great to see Magic Johnson now has something to work with on draft day. With that mind, let’s take a look at three prospects who I believe will be in the Lakers’ crosshairs.
Landry Shamet, PG, Wichita State
With Jordan Clarkson no longer in Los Angeles, the Lakers could be looking for a new backup point guard this offseason. If Isaiah Thomas isn’t re-signed, they’ll need someone capable of stepping in for Lonzo Ball, especially since he hasn’t been able to stay healthy in 2017-18.
Luckily for the Lakers, there should be a number of options available near the end of the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft. This upcoming draft class seems to be overflowing with outstanding frontcourt and wing talent, which should allow some of the better point guards to slide on draft day.
One I’m particularly fond of is Landry Shamet of Wichita State.
What makes him such an intriguing backup option behind Ball? Well he’s got the size (6’4″ point guard), is a very smart player and exceptional passer, and is a lights-out shooter. His overall physical tools aren’t as elite as Ball’s, but his sharpshooter accuracy would be a welcomed addition to this Los Angeles bench.
So far this season, he’s shooting 49.4 percent from the field, 45.3 percent from 3-point land and has a 66 true shooting percentage. Considering the Lakers’ struggles from the field this year, Shamet would be an immediate upgrade in the shooting department.
Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky
Coming into the season, it seemed safe to assume Hamidou Diallo would be in the top-15 conversation by now. That hasn’t been the case. He’s been struggling to get his act together, to the point where his starting role has been routinely questioned in the media.
Despite that, there’s simply too much natural talent and athleticism to ignore. The former five-star recruit is an elite athlete who can jump out of the gym, leave you in his dust on the fast break, and change directions on a dime. Diallo is even a plus defender. Oh, and he’s a ridiculous dunker.
Here’s the problem with Diallo: He’s wildly inconsistent and undisciplined. While some of that may be a result of general inexperience and youth, it means he’s got a lot of growing to do before he’s ready to shine at the next level. Diallo needs a lot of work in all aspects of his shooting, his passing is subpar and he relies too heavily on his athleticism to win — which isn’t always the result. With some maturation and NBA coaching, though, the sky is the limit.
Despite his current limitations, Diallo is a talent that simply can’t be ignored. If he’s still on the board when the Lakers pick near the end of the first round, he should be a serious consideration. Los Angeles needs more high-upside talent on the bench, and Diallo seems like a perfect match.
As long as he doesn’t tank the rest of his freshman season, expect Diallo to be on the Lakers’ radar come June.
Mitchell Robinson, C, USA
Mitchell Robinson is a wild card of sorts when it comes to the 2018 NBA Draft. A former five-star recruit and top high school prospect, the mountainous center decided to forego college this year, choosing instead of train for the NBA on his own.
It’s a risky move, seeing as that won’t give scouts anything to look at in terms of Robinson’s work against top-tier college talent. However, if you focus on his high school work and physical profile, it’s easy to understand why the NBA Draft community as a whole is thoroughly intrigued.
Now it is worth noting, as I alluded to previously, there isn’t a ton of film to go off of with Robinson. Most of what’s available on YouTube is highlights, which don’t paint a clear picture of the positives and negatives of a particular player. Even in the highlights, Robinson towers over everyone — how could he not look like a man among boys as a 7’1″ high school center?
Still, there’s a reason he’s on the NBA’s radar. Robinson has the makings of an excellent rim protector, uses his size well to clean the boards and is very fond of the put-back dunk. The kid excels at racking up blocks in bunches, as evidenced by a 20-block game during his junior year (via MaxPreps).
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Put simply, Robinson is a high-risk, high-reward prospect. That’s why he could easily be available when the Lakers pick in the mid- to late-20s. If he’s still on the board, they’d be wise to call his name and add some serious athleticism and length to their frontcourt.