The 2018 NBA Draft is officially in the books with the Los Angeles Lakers making the best of their picks in both the first and second round. Although it was uncertain what the storied franchise would do with their picks with so much speculation about a potential Kawhi Leonard trade, the team ultimately decided address needs in shooting department with the additions of Moritz Wagner and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.
After the Lakers brass was done making their picks, general manager Rob Pelinka spoke to the media at the practice facility in El Segundo and provided some insight on why they chose Wagner and Mykhailiuk. Wagner, who was taken 25th overall by Los Angeles, apparently some help from what would eventually be his futures teammates.
“Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart were actually at Moe Wagner's workout, and both of them were elbowing Earvin and I, saying, ‘Man, this guy would be fun to play with. He plays with energy, he's light on his feet.' They were both texting me after we picked him, saying, ‘That's another great culture piece for us.'”
With outside shooting being a crucial part of the game in the modern NBA, Wagner seems to have stood out to Pelinka and company. The Michigan product averaged a team-high 14.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season for the Wolverines while shooting 39.4 percent from beyond the arc.
At this point, it remains uncertain what kind of role Wagner may play with the Lakers moving forward with so much that could change during NBA free agency next month. However, it seems as though the Lakers have addressed a need with a talented stretch-four who could prove to be a weapon from outside for the team in the coming years.