Los Angeles Lakers: 5 prospects to draft instead of Lonzo Ball

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Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after making a three pointer during the first half against the Troy Trojans in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke

Perhaps the most intriguing option on this list is Duke’s Jayson Tatum, who also projects to be a lethal scorer. Tatum is projected to go in the top-five, although no one knows exactly which team will end up taking him when everything is said and done.

Last season with the Blue Devils, Tatum averaged 16.8 points to go along with 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He shot 45.2 percent from the field overall and drilled 34.2 percent of his three-point shots. Tatum is coming out of college after his freshman season and the sky is the limit for him as he continues to grow and learn the game.

Tatum may not be the ideal fit for the Lakers, but he is certainly an option. Luke Walton would immediately have a deadly four-man core with D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Tatum.

L.A. likely won’t take Tatum over Ball, but stranger things have happened in past drafts.

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