The Lakers are not very good this season, but there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. If the Lakers can continue losing games at this pace, they will surely have a high draft pick. If they can luckily land the top pick of the draft, Chad Ford of ESPN beieves the Lakers would take Kansas freshman Joel Embiid.
The 2014 draft class is loaded and it’s projected to be one of the best of all-time. At the beginning of the college season, Andrew Wiggins was believed to be the consensus No. 1 pick, but many players are vying for that top pick since then. Other players battling for draft position are Jabari Parker, Marcus Smart, and Aaron Gordon. Ford thinks the Lakers have Embiid at the top of their draft board, but there is still so much time left until the draft and so many options to consider.
Embiid has slowly risen to one of the top prospects. He is a seven footer and only 19 years old, but his potential is what is most promising. He is currently averaging 10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game and is improving with each passing day. Embiid is showing improvement on the offensive end and although he is a bit raw, he makes up for it in athleticism. He still has much to learn, but Ford believes he has the highest ceiling out of all the prospects and could potentially be a franchise player in the next level.
At one point, Embiid was considered a risky pick, but he is rapidly making doubters into believers. If the Lakers are fortunate enough to land the coveted top pick, will they be willing to risk it based on potential? Or will they more comfortable drafting a more seasoned Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins?
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