For all of the calamity that has surrounded the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the 2018-19 NBA season and heading into this summer, they are still in a somewhat ideal position as a franchise.
The Lakers have a full year with LeBron James. They have a core of promising young players headlined by Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball. And in the NBA Draft Lottery, they defied the odds to climb into the top five, acquiring the rights to the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Given that the Lakers also have the cap space to offer one max contract to any of the superstar players who will be available this summer, they have a massive opportunity to build on a roster that could become a playoff contender next year.
Although Los Angeles would ideally love to package the No. 4 pick with some of those aforementioned young assets in a potential deal to acquire New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis, it appears less and less likely that New Orleans would be willing to deal Davis to the Lakers, if they elect to trade him at all.
Still, the Lakers can select a player who could have an immediate impact on the floor next season with the fourth pick. Yet due to the rather top-heavy nature of this draft as well as the current construction of their roster, the Lakers must be diligent in terms of talent evaluation and potential fits.
Here are three players the Los Angeles Lakers should avoid taking in the 2019 NBA Draft.
1. Jarrett Culver
Numerous reports have circulated in recent weeks that some teams might have considered taking Culver at the No. 2 spot had they landed that high, ahead of talents like Ja Morant and RJ Barrett.
The Lakers just had a workout for Culver … with LeBron in attendance. The question is, would Culver be a good fit in Los Angeles?
There is no question that Culver is one of the most multi-dimensional talents in this class. He can score at the rim or pull up for midrange jumpers, get inside and use his length to grab rebounds over taller forwards, and he defends like crazy.
But throughout his illustrious career, James has consistently needed shooters to space the floor and allow him to work his dribble-drive and isolation to perfection. Culver shot just over 30 percent from deep this past season, and he is extremely streaky from the perimeter.
Of course, streakiness is somewhat natural for any collegiate player. But Culver does not project to be as good a shooter as other talents like De'Andre Hunter or Cam Reddish.
Additionally, he struggled against more physical defenders, as Hunter proved to be a matchup nightmare in the national championship game. How will Culver adapt in the NBA, where everyone is faster and stronger?
If the Lakers are targeting a wing, they would be better off selecting Hunter (another elite defender who can shoot) or Reddish (arguably the highest upside).
2. Coby White
The Lakers probably will not take a point guard at the No. 4 spot. However, they may choose to deal Lonzo Ball to another team just behind them on the board (possibly the Bulls or Suns). In that case, they might feel a strong need to take their next point guard of the future.
So, Coby White or Darius Garland?
Both players offer slightly different skill sets. White is nearly 6-foot-5 while simultaneously being the fastest player in the draft. He can spot up and shoot the 3, and his ability to get out in transition and start the break may be ideal alongside guys like James and Kuzma.
Meanwhile, Garland is a terrific ball handler and shot creator who oozes similarities to James Harden and Kyrie Irving with his ability to create space off the dribble. He also has the potential to be an elite passer if he can clean up his distribution, mostly because of strong court vision. Garland played just five games at Vanderbilt, but he shot over 42 percent from 3.
Neither are terrific defenders, and both are decent rebounders at the point. But Garland probably has the higher upside because he can be more of an offensive playmaker at the next level.
LeBron is better when he has teammates who can also create for themselves, especially when he is not on the floor. In this regard, Garland is the better selection over White.
Then again, the Lakers should not select either player in the case that they keep Ball or hope to sign Irving or Kemba Walker in free agency.
3. Sekou Doumbouya
The Lakers do not have a second-round pick, so this is a pure assessment of who they should avoid taking at No. 4. And while Doumbouya is very unlikely to go this high, Los Angeles should avoid him all the same.
Doumbouya has the benefit of raw potential (at just 18 years old) to go along with size, length and athleticism. He has some skills from the perimeter, and could pan out to be an excellent NBA player down the road.
But the Lakers need someone who has the potential to contribute immediately as a solid fit on a playoff contender while also having some upside. Doumbouya has the upside, but he probably could not step in and fill a void like some of his colleagues in this class.
Similarly, he is not a real threat to shoot the ball. He has excellent footwork and can explode to the basket, but the Lakers already have the kind of personnel that compare similarly in this facet. And given that he is not really a center or post guy as a long-term option, he would not mesh well with the current rotation.
Follow Us
Subscribe