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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 options for pick No. 28 in 2017 NBA Draft

By Josh Cornelissen

Mar 14, 2017; Dayton, OH, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Wesley Iwundu (25) moves the ball in the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the first four of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Dayton, OH, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Wesley Iwundu (25) moves the ball in the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the first four of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) celebrates after a basket during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 82-65. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) celebrates after a basket during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 82-65. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Edrice “Bam” Adebayo, C, Kentucky

While the Lakers have a logjam at the center position, what they do not have is a high-upside defensive piece. Timofey Mozgov is a solid defensive center, but he projects to trend downward as the young core begins to trend upwards. Zubac is stout but lacks the defensive foot speed. Nance can move his feet but lacks the size to be a true rim protector.

Bam Adebayo brings the complete defensive package, with a 7’3″ wingspan and high-end lateral agility. While his motor ran cold at times for the Wildcats, when it was revved he was flying around the court. With consistency, he could be agile enough to switch onto wing players while quick and athletic enough to swat shots at the rim.

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Offensively Adebayo is a pure rim-runner, with the frame to set hard screens and a nose for the basket as he sprints off. In transition he has the speed to charge the hoop and the hands to both gather rebounds or lob passes and slam them home. While his jumper is much more of a project, the issue is more with his footwork (something that can be addressed) so he comes with a sliver of upside.

Finally, Bam is a selfish rebounder, tearing down missed shots from either team. If the Lakers can unlock his motor, he should be in the mix on every rebound. With a team built on outside shooting, the presence of an athletic center who attacks the glass and can leap for lob passes is deadly for opposing teams.

The Lakers don’t have space in their rotation for a 35-minute center, but a 15-minute energy big who exhausts opposing defenders and keeps opposing bench units from scoring always has a place on any team.

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