With the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers have seemingly accelerated their rebuilding efforts. The team finished their season with the worst winning percentage in franchise history, but could be adding one of the top two prospects to their roster.
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Lakers general manger Mitch Kupchak has referred to the draft pick as an asset that the team could possibly trade should a right package come their way. However, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes via The Herd with Colin Cowherd, it appears the Lakers will keep it and draft another young player:
It looks as though we’ll use our pick this year,” Kupchak said during a radio appearance with ESPN’s Colin Cowherd.
Kupchak also hinted the Lakers could be looking at one of the young big men available:
Clearly, at the top of the draft at this time, there are two bigs, and we have the second pick,” Kupchak told Cowherd.
Most draft experts have Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Duke’s Jahlil Okafor atop their boards. The Minnesota Timberwolves will make the first pick which would leave the Lakers left with whomever is remaining. Okafor recently claimed he didn’t think he should go No.1 causing many to believe he wants to go to the Lakers.
There are conflicting reports on whom the Timberwolves favor with their pick. Of course, the draft is still weeks away with teams holding workouts until then. Teams can get better look at the prospects and adjust their preferences accordingly.
Regardless of what the Timberwolves do, the Lakers will have the opportunity to take a skilled young big man in the draft. Other possibilities include taking one of the guards as well with Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell and China professional league product Emmanual Muiday as options.
[divide]Lakers Nation Draft Podcast: Lottery Reaction
