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Los Angeles Lakers Eyeing Mario Hezonja

By Chris Walton

Dec. 2 2011; El Segundo, CA., USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak answers questions from the media during a press conference at the team training compound at the Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 2 2011; El Segundo, CA., USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak answers questions from the media during a press conference at the team training compound at the Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the NBA’s teams that are glued to the remaining games of the NCAA tournament. With the fourth-worst record in the league, the team could potentially end up in a number of scenarios, including achieving the top selection while losing their pick. If the latter occurs, the pick once owed to the Phoenix Suns will be inherited by the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Names like Jahlil Okafor (Duke), Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky), and Stanley Johnson (Arizona) all remain and could very well become that pick.  Despite so much losing, the Lakers will still need luck on their side to start their future, and put one of these players at the center of their foundation.

The rebuild was once inevitable, but now things could not be clearer to improve in Los Angeles.

With plenty of talent in the United States, a name has surfaced overseas from Spain. FC Barcelona swingman Mario Hezonja has turned heads and created a buzz amongst NBA scouts. According to DraftExpress, he is rated the No. 1 international prospect in the country.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently made a trip to scout international players, with Hezonja likely in the bunch:

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    • Hezonja did not play in the matchup attended by Kupchak.

    At only 20 years of age, he is one of the best players in the most competitive league in Europe. Hezonja has it all, starting with size at 6’8. He comfortably rotates between both the shooting guard and small forward position. Both positions will definitely need depth as the Lakers rebuild. Kobe Bryant will be in his last season, and Hezonja could be a likely successor.

    He would easily become the Lakers starter next season at small forward, depending on if he comes over to the NBA.

    European style of play is a contrast to American basketball. Rather than the iso-heavy scoring and such, they rely on lots of ball movement and scoring in transition. With so much team-oriented play, it explains why Hezonja’s numbers don’t scream at you like a Stephen Curry or James Harden. He averages eight points per game on 58.7% shooting in 17 games.

    Despite the production, the skills Hezonja possess are intriguing. He’s an impressive athlete that not only uses his size to make plays, but his game is extremely fluid. He shows a natural aggression to score, while showing comfort as a point forward. Again, at his size, he has no issues handling the basketball and does it just as well as most guards on his team.

    One of the Hezonja’s strongest attributes lies in his confidence. He is extremely intense and competes on both ends relentlessly. Like most great players with this mentality, he sometimes allows it to be harder on teammates and display some arrogance. Bleacher Report’s NBA Lead Writer Jonathan Wasserman reported:

    “If I was in college I’d probably be the No. 1 pick. I had an offer from Kentucky,” Hezonja told Basketball Insiders’ David Pick.

    Being the NBA’s top pick could be a possibility with more exposure in the States. As the draft draws closer and closer, Hezonja will definitely know where he may land. If it is a high profile team like the Los Angeles Lakers, it would be a welcome opportunity. With his confidence and ambition, the stage in Los Angeles may be tailored for what Hezonja wants to do in the league.

    His skills and mentality could revitalize a franchise looking for new blood and resurgence.

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