2018 NBA Draft: More options for Los Angeles Lakers with Cleveland Cavaliers’ pick
3. Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland
When the 2018 NBA Draft finally tips off, the Lakers could be in dire need of new blood at center. Brook Lopez is a free agent this offseason, and may not be re-signed. Julius Randle, who often serves as the small-ball 5, could use restricted free agency as an escape route.
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Beyond that, the rest of the Lakers’ frontcourt depth is made up of young, raw talent like Ivica Zubac and Thomas Bryant. While adding another youngster to the mix certainly doesn’t solve that problem, it’ll give Luke Walton another high-upside big man to mold and develop over the next couple of seasons.
It just so happens Bruno Fernando possesses more upside than either Zubac or Bryant, at least in my opinion. Now that does come with the caveat that he’s extremely raw, and it will take significant time before he’s ready to see big minutes in the NBA. However, considering his elite athleticism for a 6’10”, 250-pound center, it’s hard not to drool over his potential.
The 19-year-old Angola native still has a long way to go, but all of the tools are there. He can rebound well, shows some rim protection chops and even has a budding jumper. Given some NBA coaching and experience, he could soon blossom as a legitimate starting-caliber 5.
There’s no guarantee that Fernando decides to take his talents to the league in 2018. However, if he can continue his quick ascent through the college basketball ranks, we could see him elevate his stock to the point of making the jump.