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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Best Options In 2016 NBA Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) before the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) before the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers own the No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft. Who should the Lakers select?

Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard
Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard /

The Los Angeles Lakers are in possession of a Top 5 draft pick for the second consecutive season. That’s unfamiliar territory for the Lakers, which haven’t owned Top 5 picks in consecutive drafts since 1960 and 1961.

The question is, how should the Lakers put the No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft to use?

Many have hypothesized that a trade should be executed, but there’s an attractive opportunity to build through the draft. The No. 2 overall selection provides Los Angeles with a chance to complete the construction of its young core.

With point guard D’Angelo Russell and power forward Julius Randle already under contract, and shooting guard Jordan Clarkson expected to re-sign, the Lakers could be one pick away from forming a Thunder-esque group of young players.

For what it’s worth, the Lakers selected Jerry West in 1960 and Wayne Yates in 1961. West clearly went on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history, but Yates spent just one season with the Lakers before leaving to play in the American Basketball League.

The question is, how can the Lakers ace the 2016 NBA Draft and thus avoid another Yates situation?

Next: Tantalizing Athleticism

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