The NBA playoffs are in full swing. But the 22 teams that aren't still fighting for a shot at the league championship have their eyes set elsewhere: the Amateur Draft.
While the draft won't be held until June 20, teams are in the midst of in-depth research on all possible targets. This includes the Los Angeles Lakers, whose season came to an early end as they missed the playoffs in their first year with superstar LeBron James.
Via Bill Oram of The Athletic:
Lakers are starting to bring in guys in the 2nd round/summer league/G League range. Won’t start workouts for their first round pick until after combine/lottery when they know their pick. https://t.co/OyKQOVPf4q
— Bill Oram (@billoram) May 7, 2019
The league's draft order is still undecided until next Tuesday's NBA lottery. The Lakers will wait until then to start working out potential first rounders. According to 247 Sports, their 37-45 record gives them just a 2.0% chance at the first overall pick and a 9.4% chance at picking in the top four.
However, Los Angeles should still be able to add significant talent. The absolute lowest they can pick is 14th overall, and they are already holding workouts for potential later picks.
Last June, the Lakers selected German center Moritz Wagner with their first round pick (25th overall). They also drafted German point guard Isaac Bonga and Ukrainian guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk in the second round. All three made their NBA debuts with the Lakers this season, but none performed particularly well, and Mykhailiuk was traded to the Detroit Pistons in February.
While Wagner and Bonga still have potential and could contribute going forward, Los Angeles will look to be more successful in this summer's draft.
The team disappointed in the regular season and will need all of the help it can get.
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