Redrafting the Los Angeles Lakers’ last 3 lottery picks

2014 No. 7 overall: Julius Randle -> Nikola Jokic

On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be a huge need to replace Julius Randle with this pick. After missing all but one game of his rookie season due to a broken leg, the Kentucky product has shined as a member of the Lakers.

However, I don’t think he’s ever going to emerge as that dominant player Los Angeles wants him to be. Sure, he’ll continue to have big games from time to time. He’ll clean the glass with ease, and should see steady progress as an offensive threat. In the end, though, I don’t think he’ll ever be anything more than a plus starter who occasionally flashes star power.

Based on what we saw from Nikola Jokic this season, though, he’s ready to take that step towards stardom.

Jokic spent his rookie season overseas before joining the team in 2015. Although he flashed serious upside that year, he didn’t have his breakout campaign until this past season. And boy did he light it up. When all was said and done, he had amassed 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 0.8 blocks per game. Jokic also connected on 57.8 percent of his field goals, good for sixth best in the NBA in 2016-17.

As great as Randle can be at times, the ceiling appears much higher with Jokic. He’s only scratching the surface of his potential, and looked more like a rising star this past season than the Lakers’ 2014 first round pick did. It’s a tough decision, but Jokic gets the call.