Los Angeles Lakers: A look back at NBA Draft history before 2017
The Los Angeles Lakers have the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The No. 2 pick has been kind to the Lakers throughout their franchise history.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. A lot of their lore revolves around the 16 championships they have won. Los Angeles is currently not close to adding to that championship count.
The Lakers are in a rebuild. They are moving out of the Kobe Bryant era, looking for a new face of the franchise. They are in the midst of their longest ever playoff drought, as they have missed the postseason four consecutive years. There has been a lot of losing on the court, but even when they are losing, the Lakers are still winning.
The latest example was the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery. The Lakers had a ton riding on the draft lottery. They were in the third slot and needed to remain in the top-three. If they slid out of the top-three, the pick would have been relayed to the Philadelphia 76ers. In addition to losing this year’s first round pick, the Lakers would have also sent their 2019 first round pick to the Orlando Magic.
Not only did the Lakers remain in the top three, but they actually moved up as well. The Lakers landed the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, coming away as big winners in the draft lottery. Even when they are struggling on the court, the Lakers find a way to come out ahead.
With the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, they will have a ton of great options to consider. UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball is currently the favorite to land with Los Angeles. Whoever is selected will be joining a roster loaded with young talent, some of whom are also former No. 2 overall selections.
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This will actually be the third consecutive year that the Lakers will be selecting second in the NBA Draft. The jury is still out on those selections, but the team is hoping that those players can become foundation pieces to the next Lakers dynasty.
In 2015, Los Angeles selected D’Angelo Russell out of Ohio State. He has been up-and-down thus far in his NBA career. He could be moved off of point guard depending on who the Lakers select with the second pick.
Last year, the Lakers selected Duke forward Brandon Ingram. He struggled most of his rookie season but came on after the All-Star break. The team has high hopes for Ingram, as Magic Johnson said he was probably the only untouchable player on the roster right now.
Russell and Ingram have a long way to go if they want to reach the level of previous No. 2 overall picks in Lakers history. Jerry West was the second overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft.
West is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history and is the silhouette for the current NBA logo. He helped the Lakers win a title in 1972 and was the NBA Finals MVP in 1969 despite losing to the New York Knicks.
The other No. 2 overall pick the Lakers had was in 1975. They selected Dave Meyers, but he would never play for them. He was part of the trade to the Milwaukee Bucks that landed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the Lakers, and the rest is history.
Russell and Ingram have a lot to live up to as No. 2 overall picks in Lakers history. When this team selects at the top of the draft, it normally hits big. Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson and James Worthy were No. 1 overall picks.
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The Lakers also hold the 28th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. They acquired this pick from the Houston Rockets in a deadline deal that sent Lou Williams to Houston.
Los Angeles has never selected 28th in the NBA Draft, and will hope to hit with the second overall pick since the 28th pick has not produced many great NBA players. 1980 was the first year that there was a 28th overall pick in the first round and the selections have been underwhelming.
There have been a few players that have had successful stints in the NBA after being selected 28th overall. The San Antonio Spurs have done well in that slot, selecting Tiago Splitter, Ian Mahinmi, Beno Udrih and Leandro Barbosa from 2003-07. They also got Tony Parker there in 2001.
Greg Ostertag, Sherman Douglas and Dan Roundfield were also selected 28th overall previously. In recent seasons this pick hasn’t produced much either. Norris Cole has two championship rings, but that’s about it. The Lakers are hoping that can change this year when they are on the clock with the 28th pick.
Next: 30 Greatest Draft Steals In Lottery Era
In the lottery era, the Lakers landed Eddie Jones, Kobe Bryant (via trade), and Andrew Bynum prior to these last three drafts. The Lakers have a history of hitting on their draft picks and are hoping that trend continues with their most recent selections.