Complete 2018 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams
Los Angeles Lakers
- No. 25: Moritz Wagner, Michigan
- No. 39: Isaac Bonga, Germany (via Philadelphia 76ers)
- No. 47: Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Kansas
So much for the Los Angeles Lakers being the kings of the late first round and mid-second round. None of the picks made Thursday night were bad, but taking Moritz Wagner at No. 25 was a head-scratcher to say the least.
Wagner was thrilling in the NCAA Tournament and throughout his final collegiate season, but he’s already 21, will have a hard time keeping up defensively in the NBA and was projected by most mocks as a second round option.
Taking him this early, when his only guaranteed NBA skill will be 3-point shooting, is a risk for a team that wants to contend next year if everything goes right this summer. To be fair though, adding 3-point shooting isn’t the worst idea if You-Know-Who comes to town.
It's pretty obvious that the Lakers prioritized shooting in this draft. Both Wagner & Mykhailiuk have holes, but they can shoot the hell out of the ball relative to their position.
— Laker Film Room (@LakerFilmRoom) June 22, 2018
That will be especially important if a certain free agent signs here in a couple of weeks.
Isaac Bonga is a draft-and-stash candidate that can pay off in a year or two, but does little to help the Lakers just yet. Finally, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk will space the floor as a deadly 3-point sniper, but will struggle to stay on the floor because of his defensive drawbacks.
Remember that Steve Nash trade from way back when? It’s what originally cost the Lakers the No. 10 overall pick in this draft. Wouldn’t it be nice to have Mikal Bridges right about now?
Grade: D+