Los Angeles Lakers: 5 options for pick No. 2 in 2017 NBA Draft
Los Angeles Lakers
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) drives to the basket past Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Here are five players they should consider with that pick.
The Los Angeles Lakers were big winners in the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery earlier this month. Lady luck was on their side that evening. They went into the lottery with better odds of falling out of the top-three than staying in there, which they needed to do to avoid sending the selection to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Not only did the Lakers keep their pick, they moved up in the draft. The Lakers landed the No. 2 overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft despite having only a 15.7 percent chance of doing so. Los Angeles actually had a better chance of landing in the fourth or fifth spot in the lottery.
As a result of the draft lottery, the Lakers will now have the chance to add another impact young player to their roster. The Lakers have a number of young players they are hoping will make up their young core.
This will be the third consecutive season that they are picking in the No. 2 spot. Point guard D'Angelo Russell was selected second overall in 2015 and the Lakers selected small forward Brandon Ingram there in 2016.
It will be the fourth consecutive year that the Lakers are drafting in the lottery and seventh time in team history. Before this four-year stretch, the Lakers were in the lottery only three times the previous 29 years.
Rebuilds are rare in Los Angeles, but they are doing this one correctly. They are stockpiling young talent and seeing which players pan out and become building blocks. Which player will they add to their stable this year?
Here are five options for the Lakers with the second pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Los Angeles Lakers
Mar 4, 2017; College Station, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) dunks the ball during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
5. Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
If the Lakers want to add a go-to scoring threat in their backcourt there aren't any better options in this year's class than Malik Monk. Monk is easily the best shooting guard and most gifted scorer in this year's draft. The biggest knock against Monk is his size.
Monk stands only 6'3″, making him a prototypical tweener. Selecting a tweener this high in the draft would be a huge risk, but there are few players that can score with ease like Monk can.
Monk is a relentless scorer and can score in a multitude of ways. He can create his own shot, knock down three-pointers and can get going in a hurry. Just look at highlights from his games against North Carolina, Ole Miss, Georgia and Florida; he scored at least 33 points in all four games.
The Lakers would be an intriguing landing spot for Monk because they could use his strengths. They have bigger guards in D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson that can be paired with Monk. Monk has the tools to be a good defender, but his size limits how many positions he could defend.
If Monk was two or three inches taller he would be a no-brainer top pick. His scoring prowess is outstanding, but he could be destined for a sixth man role because of his size. If Monk can show that he is capable of running the show as a point guard, his career could take a turn for the better.
The Lakers would not need Monk to develop strictly as a point guard. His scoring would be a bonus right away as he could be eased into a starting role with the other options the Lakers already have at their disposal in the backcourt.
Los Angeles Lakers
Mar 16, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) boxes out against Florida Gulf Coast Eagles forward Marc-Eddy Norelia (25) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
4. Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State
While Josh Jackson is considered the best forward prospect in the draft by many, the second-best one is up for debate. There is a lot to like about Duke's Jayson Tatum and Florida State's Jonathan Isaac. For the Lakers, Isaac would probably be the selection.
Tatum brings a lot to the table. He is arguably the most NBA-ready prospect in this draft. But he does not have the same size and length that Isaac possesses. If Isaac adds 15-20 pounds to his frame and some strength, the Lakers could have a true monster in the frontcourt on their hands.
Standing 6'11", Isaac already has the height to play power forward. He is listed as a small forward, as he is athletic enough to play on the perimeter. That kind of versatility is tough to come by. Isaac can not only protect the rim, but he can defend smaller, quicker players on the perimeter as well.
From the start, Isaac's defense can get him on the court. Offensively he needs some work, but he already has the range shoot from the three-point line and has shown an ability to get his own shot. Consistency is needed on his jump shot, but the tools are there.
If Isaac has good workouts he could move his way up into the top-three discussion. He should thrive in the current NBA landscape without positions and with plenty of small-ball.
ESPN's analytics team actually has Isaac as the best player in this year's draft class. He is very skilled for a player of his size, and whoever lands him will be getting a very versatile forward with a ton of potential.
Los Angeles Lakers: 5 options for pick No.2 in 2017 NBA Draft
Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) points against the Florida Gators during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
3. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
Selecting a point guard seems like the way the Lakers are leaning with their top pick. If they decide to pass on Lonzo Ball, De'Aaron Fox would likely be the reason why.
Fox has speed and agility to spare. He is easily the most athletically gifted point guard in this year's draft class. According to ESPN's Chad Ford, there are some teams that prefer Fox over Ball right now, and there are more teams that could join that list as the draft process goes on and LaVar Ball has more time to say outrageous things.
Basing a draft ranking on two games wouldn't be smart, but when Fox and Ball matched up head-to-head, Fox played well. In the first matchup, Fox scored 20 points with nine assists and only two turnovers in 34 minutes. In the Sweet 16, Fox torched Ball for 39 points with four assists and one turnover.
Fox gets to the basket at will, using his athleticism to blow by people despite having a suspect jump shot. If Fox could find consistency with his jump shot, he would quickly become one of the best point guards in the NBA.
Fox could use some extra strength and weight, but his athleticism and length should be enough for him to succeed in the early going. You can't teach the speed he has, so that is a good starting spot for a prospect. He also has the capability of being a strong defender at the point of attack.
Teams were very impressed with his interviews. There is a lot to like about Fox both on and off the court. He would be an excellent addition to the Lakers and come with fewer headaches than Ball.
Los Angeles Lakers
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) controls the ball at the net during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
2. Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas
Jackson looks to have settled in as the consensus third-best prospect in this year's draft class. Jackson has slid in right behind Fultz and Ball, who are expected to go No. 1 and No. 2 in the 2017 NBA Draft. If the Lakers shake that up, Jackson could be the reason why.
Jackson did not take part in the NBA Draft Combine, but that will not impact his draft stock. If he is not selected by the Lakers, there is little chance he falls below the Phoenix Suns at No. 4. Jackson comes with some off-court baggage, as he will have to attend anger management classes from an incident at Kansas. On the court though, there are few things to worry about.
Whoever selects Jackson will be getting a great defender right off the bat. Jackson is a very competitive wing player that has excellent athleticism. That enables him to be a strong defender, but he is no slouch on offense.
He needs to continue working on the consistency of his jump shot, but right now he is a great slasher. His high basketball IQ makes him a strong prospect on both ends of the court as a defender and working off the ball offensively.
Jackson has a lot of versatility in his game. He played a lot of power forward at Kansas, but will probably start his career at small forward. Shooting guard, depending on the scheme, should be doable as well as he has the athleticism to stick with smaller opponents. That versatility will be something coaching staffs would love to have at their disposal.
Los Angeles Lakers
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) passes the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
1. Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
The favorite to go second overall in the 2017 NBA Draft is UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball. There is growing speculation that Washington point guard Markelle Fultz will be the first overall selection to the Celtics. The Lakers will be okay with that, as Ball is their guy.
Lonzo's father, LaVar Ball, has been vocal about wanting his son to go to the Lakers. He has been saying it for months that Lonzo will only play for the Lakers, and it looks like his wishes will come true.
It would be a pretty big upset if Ball isn't wearing purple and gold. The only reason he wouldn't be is if the Celtics (or a team that trades for the No. 1 overall pick) snags him. Even that is unlikely, as Ball will not be working out for anyone but the Lakers, according to his father.
The feeling is mutual from the Lakers to Ball. They are reportedly enamored with the UCLA product. He has the biggest star potential in this year's draft class and would be a homegrown product after playing high school basketball in California and playing college ball at nearby Pauley Pavilion.
Ball brings a lot to the table that the Lakers would like. He has great court vision and range on his jump shot. His addition would enable the Lakers to move D'Angelo Russell to shooting guard full-time and give them their backcourt for the future.
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