Los Angeles Lakers: Complete 2016 Offseason Grades

Los Angeles Lakers: 2016 Offseason Grades

July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft picks Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac pose with vice president of basketball operation Jim Buss following their introductory press conference at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

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July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Ivica Zubac speaks to media at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Pick No. 2

Brandon Ingram wasn’t the only great thing the Lakers did on draft night, with Ivica Zubac serving as another nice reminder that this front office still knows how to draft — especially after emerging with Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell and Larry Nance Jr. over the last two drafts.

At No. 32, the Lakers may have gotten a second round steal with the 7’1″ Serbian. Though many fans had little idea what to expect from their newest center on draft night, he quickly gave them a preview in Las Vegas, averaging 10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and an impressive 2.6 blocks per game.

Zubac shot 64.7 percent from the field in his Summer League five games, converted an efficient 81.8 percent of his free throws and made plenty of Lakers fans feel excited about this potential long-term replacement for Roy Hibbert.

Hell, it wouldn’t be surprising for new head coach Luke Walton to turn to Zubac as the starter before long given this team’s obvious wetness behind the ears.

At 19 years old, “Zublocka” has the physical frame to make it in the NBA with his 7’4″ wingspan. If he can play as competently as he did in Vegas, the Lakers have found a long-term solution at the center spot to pair with an already impressive young nucleus.

Grade: A

Next: Mozzy To The Max

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