Los Angeles Lakers: Second round gems to target in 2018 NBA Draft

Moritz Wagner, PF/C — Michigan

We all know the Lakers will be looking for more options in the frontcourt this offseason. Especially if Brook Lopez leaves via free agency, they’ll be rather thin at center, boasting little more than young, inexperienced options heading into the 2018-19 campaign.

One guy who could prove to be a valuable addition despite his youth is Moritz Wagner, an underrated big man whose stocked soared after he carried Michigan all the way to the 2018 NCAA championship game. Between his sweet stroke from outside (39.4 percent in 2017-18) to his consistent year-to-year defensive improvement, it’s easy to understand why he’s making the jump.

There’s a lot to like about Wagner. Not only does he possess the outside shooting chops to serve as a quality stretch-4 or stretch-5 in the NBA, but he’s a sneaky athlete who happens to have some impressive handles for a 6’11”, 240-pound big man.

See for yourself:

Wait, there’s more!

https://twitter.com/EvanPetzold/status/952255967114203136

Now I will say that there’s a decent chance Wagner’s stock rises after the combine. As I mentioned, he’s more athletic than he gets credit for and should impress with his measurables. Still, for now, he could theoretically be available near the middle of the second round.

If that is the case, the Lakers better think long and hard about drafting the former Wolverine.