Los Angeles Lakers: Reviewing Their Recent Draft History

Hiding behind the spotlight consumed by the NBA Finals, the 2013 Draft has nearly arrived.  On Thursday, June 27, several teams are going to be introduced to future stars of their franchise.  In the recent years, however, one particular team hasn’t had terrific experiences in this offseason event.  Dating back to 2008, the Los Angeles Lakers have been known to improve their odds through blockbuster trades, not draft selections.

The decision to send their 2008 and 2010 first-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Pau Gasol (in addition to a 2010 second-round pick) proved to work out well for Los Angeles.  Winning back-to-back championships and making three consecutive Finals appearances, the Lakers surely would never regret the deal with Memphis on Feb. 1, 2008.  While this did ensure minimum activity in the 2008 draft, rings spoke louder than inexperienced talent for general manager Mitch Kupchak.

2009 Draft

As this draft approached, everyone expected the Lakers to add some depth to the roster that was outmatched and defeated in the 2008 NBA Finals by the Boston Celtics.  That plan certainly didn’t become the case, as they ultimately decided to trade both of their picks immediately after the selection.

At the 29th draft position, the Lakers’ organization selected point guard Toney Douglas from Florida State.  Shipping him off to the New York Knicks in exchange for a 2011 second-round pick probably didn’t sound too bad at that point in time.  However, with Douglas providing the Sacramento Kings (and formerly Houston Rockets) with added athleticism and backup talent in the 2012-13 season, Los Angeles fans may have wanted to give the rookie a chance when he had the opportunity for the purple and gold.

Not too far down the board, at the 42nd overall selection, the Lakers ran into another point guard that has given us a glimpse of his future in the league.  Patrick Beverley, a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks from 2006-08, was announced as the team’s second pick in the draft.  Sent directly to the Miami Heat for another 2011 second-round pick and cash considerations, Beverley never had a chance to suit up for the team and potentially add depth to the relatively weak bench they displayed in the 2008-09 campaign.  Now having a strong role off the bench for the Houston Rockets, Beverely averaged 11.8 points per game in their first-round playoff series this season.

Ending the following season with their first NBA title in seven years, however, stopped anyone from questioning the Lakers’ draft choices in 2009.

2010 Draft

After repeating as champions in June 2010, Kupchak and the Lakers made the decision to keep their draft picks for their attempt to introduce younger talent.  Making the 43rd selection became a too easy of a steal, as they noticed that West Virginia small forward Devin Ebanks was the best available asset on the draft board.  A 6”9 small forward with young legs is something the team definitely was searching for.  With this being said, only averaging 11.3 minutes per game in his three-year career, Ebanks hasn’t developed into the game-changer that many Lakers fans were expecting.  Reportedly not returning to the Lakers for the 2013-14 season, it’s a shame that his talent didn’t provide more than what we witnessed.

In a late attempt to obtain a low-post prospect in the second round, Los Angeles took a gamble on the power forward from UTEP, Derrick Caracter.  At the time, the playing style and allocation of minutes that coach Phil Jackson implemented clearly made it difficult for any post player to actively compete with Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol.  Caracter truly wasn’t targeted for development neither, as he was not retained by the team after playing in just 41 of the 82 games during his first season.

2011 Draft

Today’s fans of the Lakers would undoubtedly remember this one, as two of the team’s current backup guards were obtaining in this draft.  Both picks came in the second round once again, as the team felt Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock were the best options to add to the aging roster.

Morris, a well-rounded play maker from the University of Michigan, was taken with the 41st overall pick in the draft.  Even not being aware that they were going to trade for Steve Nash and Dwight Howard the following year, this was still an excellent pick-up for the team.  Morris is able to bring speed and athleticism to the point guard position during the resting moments of Steve Nash and Steve Blake (both older guards).

Goudelock, on the other hand, is just a pure shooter.  Plain and simple, he has some of the best shooting ability in the league when he is given the opportunities.  Being known as one of the deadliest shooters in the country at the College of Charleston and the most recent MVP of the NBA D-League, I’m a firm believer in Goudelock’s future as a Laker.  Given that he has only played in 48 total games since joining the league in 2011, he has the time to develop into a confident role player behind Kobe Bryant and Jodie Meeks (pending Meeks’ return.)

2012 Draft

Continuing the dreadful tradition of having to rely on second-round picks, the Lakers’ only true selection came at 60th (last) overall for this draft.  With a 7″0 center named Robert Sacre remaining on the board as draft night came to a close, Los Angeles became the team that would give him a shot.  Surprisingly enough, Sacre nearly played half the season in 2012-13.  While his minutes and three starting lineup appearances were only due to the massive injuries the Lakers accumulating, there is no doubting that the former Gonzaga big man’s experience and physicality on the court will increase if he has any more opportunities to practice with Dwight Howard.

Los Angeles Lakers 2013 Draft Preview

Out of all the things that Lakers’ fans remain hopeful for, a phenomenal draft is probably not one of them.  This is not 1996, where the franchise will be able to pull off another historical steal on draft day.  Nevertheless, one thing that fans can always remain optimistic about is the activity level of the team’s management.  Will Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss be open to any trades on Thursday?  One would hope so, as this team has a little freshening up to do.