It’s the most wonderful time of the year especially if you're a fan of a team selecting in the NBA Draft lottery. The NBA draft signifies hope for fanbases desperate for relevance. Zion Williamson and Ja Morant are this year’s purveyors.
With the NBA Draft lottery next Tuesday, the NBA Combine next week, and the draft itself on June 20th, let’s buckle up and get ready for the ride.
Using Tankathon for slots until the lottery’s conclusion, it's time to see how Los Angeles Lakers might do when Adam Silver hits the stage in just over a month.
The Lakers have been a disaster for various reasons over the last few years, and the next two months for Lakers fans are going to be insane.
While they will have the money to land a superstar, or two, not everyone wants to play in the drama that surrounds LeBron. Then there is the whole Anthony Davis saga still to be sorted out. Either way, the roster as constructed is not good enough to contend for a title, and with King James slated to turn 35 this December, time is of the essence. This is why this year’s draft pick is even more important.
Since the Lakers won six out of their final 10 games, they have a 2.0% chance at the No. 1 pick and a 9.4% chance at a top-four pick. After the first four picks are drawn, the rest of the draft order is determined by record. So if Kyle Kuzma, who is being sent to represent the Lakers, misses out on striking gold, LA's most likely scenario is remaining at the No. 11 pick with a 77.6% chance.
If the Lakers luck out and win the lotto, of course Zion Williamson will be their man, especially after the love LeBron showed him on the last episode of The Shop. While we all know about the Duke trio of Zion, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish; and Murray State's Ja Morant, here are five guys to look at for Lakers fans who could be there at the 11-spot:
Bol Bol, C, Oregon: The Lakers have a glaring hole at center and desperately need help with rebounding and 3-point shooting. Luckily for them, Bol has all of those tools and is a top-five talent in this draft. If he is still there at No. 11, Bol’s potential upside is worth the risk. Before his injury, Bol was making a case to be a top-10 pick, averaging 21.0 points per game. He showed nice outside touch and ability to stretch the floor, and don’t forget he has a 7’8″ wingspan.
Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas: As mentioned above, the Lakers need a rim protector badly. Hayes fits the mold of the new big man; he’s a true rim runner. He is energetic, can run in transition and block shots. Hayes can keep Anthony Davis’ seat warm.
Nassir Little, SF, North Carolina: Little’s limited role at North Carolina is not going to scare off general mangers from drafting him due to his potential. Before his season at UNC, he was projected in the top-five. At 6’6″, 220-pounds, Little can score in a variety of ways, especially in transition. The lobs from LeBron to Little would be epic.
Romeo Langford, SG, Indiana: Langford is a 6’6″, 215-pound two-guard who can fill up the scoresheet. While he needs to improve his 3-point shooting, he still averaged 16.5 points per game as a freshman. Langford would be a good running mate for Lonzo Ball, while helping LeBron relinquish his ball-handling duties. His ceiling might be worth the gamble at this slot.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, PG/ SG, Virginia Tech: Alexander-Walker is 6’5″, can shoot the three, and is a very good ball handler. He excels at the pick and roll, and his skill set would allow him to play along Ball, or be his replacement, especially if Ball is included in a trade package this offseason for Davis.
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