LA Lakers pick D'Angelo Russell 2nd overall in NBA draft
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Lakers are betting D'Angelo Russell is ready for Showtime.
The Lakers chose Russell with the second pick in the NBA draft on Thursday, bypassing big man Jahlil Okafor to grab the Ohio State guard with the potential for greatness.
Russell averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his only season with the Buckeyes, and he surged to the front of his draft class in the past two months. Los Angeles confidently chose the dynamic ball-handler over Okafor, the Duke big man considered the draft's other elite prospect alongside Russell and top pick Karl-Anthony Towns.
"We felt (Russell), at No. 2, was a player we couldn't pass up," general manager Mitch Kupchak said at the Lakers' training complex.
Indeed, the 19-year-old Russell is widely thought to have the greatest star potential in this draft, given his exciting style and rapid improvement. Russell's playmaking, 3-point shooting and overall swagger persuaded the Lakers to gamble on the 6-foot-5 point guard instead of playing it somewhat safer with a big man.
Russell immediately relished the opportunity of playing and learning in a backcourt with Kobe Bryant, who will be 37 years old this fall when he returns from his second major injury for his 20th NBA season.
"I'm really looking forward to him taking me under his wing, if possible, and really just feeding me the most knowledge he can," Russell said at the draft in Brooklyn. "To be in this position on that franchise, on the West Coast, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is a great opportunity to really take my game to the next level."
Coach Byron Scott was thrilled by the pick, praising Russell's poise and leadership in his three-on-three workouts for the Lakers. He already imagines Russell in the Lakers' backcourt alongside Jordan Clarkson, who made the all-rookie second team this year.
"It was a decision that either way we made, we were going to be in pretty good shape," Scott said. "I think Okafor is going to be a good center in this league. I just think D'Angelo has a chance to be a superstar."
Kupchak disagreed with the notion that his selection of Russell is a symptom of the NBA's evolution into a guard-dominated league, as exemplified by Golden State's championship run behind point guard Stephen Curry and no standout big man. The Lakers' history is built on championships won by dominant centers including George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal.
"You still need quality big men in this league, and if any of those players on the wall were available, we would have selected them," Kupchak said, indicating the row of retired jerseys hanging above the Lakers' practice court.
The Lakers had their highest draft choice since 1982 after going 21-61 during the 16-time champion franchise's worst season. They've made just five previous top-two selections in their history, and four turned out to be Hall of Famers: Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson and James Worthy.
Los Angeles also picks 27th and 34th, providing a chance to restock one of the NBA's worst rosters while preparing for life after Bryant.
The Lakers' most important draft in decades still is surrounded by the usual drama that habitually envelops the Lakers, who have been linked to a possible trade for All-Star Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins.
Los Angeles also hopes to be active in free agency next week, perhaps attempting to lure LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Marc Gasol or another big man to play alongside forward Julius Randle, the seventh overall pick last summer who broke his leg in the season opener.
"That wasn't a factor in our choosing (Russell)," Kupchak said of the fertile free-agent market for big men. "Turns out that there are a lot of big men that may be available during free agency, and if you look at the guys in the backcourt, there may not be as many. But that wasn't a factor."
