Los Angeles Lakers: 5 prospects to draft instead of Lonzo Ball
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts on the court 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
Which five names could the Los Angeles Lakers consider drafting instead of Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft?
Magic Johnson is set to enter his first offseason in full control of roster moves for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is hoping to turn his former team back into a title contender sooner rather than later. Many believe that their quest to get back into contention will start with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Lonzo Ball has been hyped up as the player that the Lakers will select with the pick. That may end up being the case, but the Lakers have not tipped their hand just yet.
There is no denying the talent that Ball possesses, but the headache that his father, LaVar, could have in the future might deter the Lakers from drafting him. Rumors have been coming out that Ball is considering working out for the Philadelphia 76ers, which could be a sign that his camp doesn't have complete confidence that the Lakers will draft him.
If the Lakers do decide to go a different direction, there are plenty of players at the top of the draft that they could consider. Ball may be the player with the most potential at No. 2, but other players have "potential superstar" written all over them as well.
All of that being said, which five players could be potential alternatives to Ball for the Lakers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft?
Denver Nuggets
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
5. Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State
Jonathan Isaac won't be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about players that the Lakers could take at No. 2 ahead of Ball, but he certainly belongs on the list.
Very few players at 6'10" are capable of doing the kind of things that Isaac can on the floor. He has extreme athleticism and has been rising up draft boards throughout the NBA Draft process. Isaac was a star at Florida State, although his name hasn't been given as much attention as it deserves.
Last season at Florida State, Isaac averaged 12.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He also chipped in 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Isaac appears to be a potential star on both offense and defense if he lives up to his full potential, which would fit nicely in the Lakers' rebuilding process.
Passing on Ball for Isaac isn't a likely scenario for the Lakers, but he is a name to keep an eye on.
Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) reacts after a three-point basket against the Wichita State Shockers during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports
4. Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
Next up is Malik Monk, the talented scorer out of Kentucky. He has been an intriguing name to follow throughout the draft process as well, as he has risen and fallen each and every week.
L.A. could use more lethal scorers, which is what many believe that Monk will be at the next level. He averaged 19.8 points per game last season for the Wildcats, while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 39.7 percent from the three-point line. Those numbers are without question intriguing for a team like the Lakers to think about.
Once again, his skill-set may not match up to Ball's, but he doesn't have an outspoken father who could become a problem at some point in the future.
Monk certainly belongs on this list, but it is hard to see the Lakers passing on more talented options to take him at No. 2. He is going to be a very good NBA player, but don't expect the Lakers to reach on him with the second overall pick.
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after making a three pointer during the first half against the Troy Trojans in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
3. Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke
Perhaps the most intriguing option on this list is Duke's Jayson Tatum, who also projects to be a lethal scorer. Tatum is projected to go in the top-five, although no one knows exactly which team will end up taking him when everything is said and done.
Last season with the Blue Devils, Tatum averaged 16.8 points to go along with 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He shot 45.2 percent from the field overall and drilled 34.2 percent of his three-point shots. Tatum is coming out of college after his freshman season and the sky is the limit for him as he continues to grow and learn the game.
Tatum may not be the ideal fit for the Lakers, but he is certainly an option. Luke Walton would immediately have a deadly four-man core with D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Tatum.
L.A. likely won't take Tatum over Ball, but stranger things have happened in past drafts.
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) goes up for a shot during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Kansas defeated Michigan State 90-70. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
2. Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas
Josh Jackson is without question in consideration to be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Even though the Lakers took Ingram last season, Jackson would add athleticism and scoring to the lineup. He is viewed as a small forward by most, but could potentially play shooting guard if needed.
Last season with the Jayhawks, Jackson averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He connected on 51.3 percent of his shot attempts and knocked down 37.8 percent of his three-point shots.
Los Angeles needs to bring in as much talent as possible and Jackson has superstar potential. That isn't to say that Ball doesn't possess superstar potential as well, but Jackson looks to have the talent to be a two-way superstar. Defense is hard to find at the NBA level.
Could L.A. take Jackson with the No. 2 overall pick ahead of Ball? Only time will tell, but Jackson would make the Lakers a much more dangerous team.
Phoenix Suns
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (left) in the first half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
1. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
If the Lakers want to go a different direction, De'Aaron Fox would be the way to go. Fox completely outplayed Ball in their Final Four matchup and his draft stock immediately started rising. Many believe that Fox could end up being the better point guard between the two when all is said and done.
Fox averaged 16.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game last season for Kentucky. He shot 47.9 percent from the floor overall, but only shot 24.6 percent from three-point range.
There is no denying Fox's athleticism and ability to score in the paint, but improving his outside shooting is a must. If he is unable to improve his shooting ability, opposing defenses will know exactly how to shut him down at the next level.
Taking Fox over Ball would make the most sense should the Lakers decide to go another direction. All five players on this list project to be very good NBA players and would all be able to help speed up the Lakers' rebuilding process over the next few seasons.
Do you think the Los Angeles Lakers should take Lonzo Ball? If not, who do you think they should select instead of him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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