Los Angeles Lakers: Upgrading At Small Forward
Target Rondae Hollis-Jefferson In The Draft
Hollis-Jefferson is an intriguing prospect for the Lakers for one main reason: he can play defense at a high level. That alone makes him valuable for a team with many questionable defenders.
NBADraft.net compares Hollis-Jefferson to former lockdown defender Bruce Bowen, who won three championships as an integral part of the San Antonio Spurs dynasty. Bowen was the guy the Spurs could stick on the opposing team’s superstar and feel comfortable knowing he was going to make their life hell, at least for a night.
The Lakers haven’t had a go-to defender since Ron Artest’s first season with the club in 2009-10, and even then he wasn’t among the league’s elite. Last season the team finished 29th in defensive rating, so they could use a few guys who thrive on the defensive end of the floor.
At 6’7’’ with a 7’1’’ wingspan and excellent athleticism, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson should be able to continue being a tough defensive player in the NBA — and an ideal fit for the defenseless Lakers.
On the offensive end, Hollis-Jefferson’s arsenal is a mixed bag. His athletic ability allows him to be a force as a finisher, and he should excel in the transition game. Perhaps the most interesting part of his upside is as a secondary facilitator — a skill that defensive-minded guys don’t typically possess.
So why would a potentially elite defender — who can also moonlight as a facilitator — be available in the late first-round?
Well, he isn’t a good shooter, and that has put a bit of a hold on his ability to climb into the upper echelon in the draft. A scout told NBA.com’s David Aldridge that Hollis-Jefferson’s shooting stroke is keeping him from being a lottery pick.
"I love his energy, I love his activity,” one scout said of Hollis-Jefferson. “But he can’t shoot right now. I like his energy and his effort. If he could shoot, he’d probably be a lottery pick. He’s got some stuff to work on with his mechanics."
Hollis-Jefferson should be able to focus on reworking his mechanics once he is in the pros, and any progress he makes would simply be a bonus for a team getting him past the lottery.
There may be slight concerns about him being an offensive liability, but there are some things that Hollis-Jefferson does well enough to lean on as he develops. He had a 74.5 percent free-throw rate in college, which suggests he will be able to get to the line often enough to provide some scoring. And, he’s athletic enough to finish at the rim to guarantee himself two points.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, Hollis-Jefferson has seen his stock rise a bit during the “draft season.” He’s ranked 13th overall on DraftExpress.com’s Big Board, and he could go anywhere from the late lottery to the late first-round.
If the Lakers want him, they may have to package their two later draft picks together to trade up and get him, but he’s a guy that could start the season in the rotation if they are able to land him.
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