When the Los Angeles Lakers landed the second overall pick in this year's draft, it was widely believed that the franchise would take UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball with the selection.
However, there has been growing chatter in the direction that has only brought doubt that he will land with his hometown team. According to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com, the Lakers may have begun shifting their attention toward Kentucky standout point guard De'Aaron Fox at the second overall spot.
Lonzo Ball has never been a lock for the Lakers. Fox interview will blow them away. Mature, smart, handles the spotlight. A real option at 2
— Scott Howard-Cooper (@SHowardCooper) June 5, 2017
Los Angeles has progressively started to lean toward giving a more serious look at Fox. Keep in mind, team president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka were in attendance at a pre-draft workout last Saturday that was hosted by CAA and Catalyst Sports that also featured Fox doing some on-court drills. The team also plans on working him out at some point next week.
This isn't necessarily a strike against Ball's ability on the court, but more that the Lakers are keeping their options open at the second overall pick. The front office wants to take the player that is going to put them in the best position to succeed with their current group of young talent.
Fox is coming off a productive freshman year at Kentucky where he averaged 16.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5, which made him one of only four freshmen in the nation put up those numbers. He is a quick guard that can create his own offense off the dribble while also playmake for others.
His addition to the Lakers would give them another scoring guard to pair alongside D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. It would give them another scoring option in the backcourt that also the potential to be a factor on the defensive end of the floor.
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