Los Angeles Lakers: Final realistic predictions for the 2018 NBA Draft

2. Lakers land Chimezie Metu at No. 47

As a result of Kawhi staying put, the Lakers make their way through the entire draft without moving either of their picks.

So with the 47th overall pick, the Lakers go with the guy I’ve been building up as a sleeper for the last couple of months. Chimezie Metu comes off the board in the second round, becoming the newest member of Los Angeles’ frontcourt.

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The USC product and lifelong Lakers fan will be grinning from ear to ear when he hears his name called at No. 47. Then again, so will Magic and the rest of the Lakers staff when they realize the type of talent they landed midway through the second round.

Metu may have been labeled a disappointment and underachiever during his college career. Yes, there were character and off-court concerns that soured some teams on him. However, when you boil it down to the basics, what you see is a tough, talented basketball player who can come in and develop into an outstanding contributor for the Lakers.

In fact, he’s got the athleticism, offensive game and defensive potential to serve as a capable Julius Randle replacement if he does leave via restricted free agency. Maybe not right away, but the building blocks are there.

For the price of a second round pick, Metu would be a huge steal for the Lakers.