After working out potential second overall pick Brandon Ingram on Thursday, the Lakers brought in another lottery prospect on Friday in Cal small forward Jaylen Brown. Brown is one of the draft’s most athletic players and has a ton of upside.
Even though he was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Brown actually grew up a Lakers fan. He even made news earlier in the draft process when he spoke about wanting to emulate the work ethic of Kobe Bryant.
He does not think Kobe is the best Laker of all-time, however, saying that he views Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest to wear the purple and gold according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Jaylen Brown said he grew up a Laker fan, watching Kobe Bryant. Said the best Lakers of all-time are @kaj33 & @MagicJohnson
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) June 10, 2016
As for his own workout, Brown believes he has proven a lot of teams wrong throughout this process with his shooting via Winters:
Jaylen Brown said teams have lower expectations of his shooting coming in to these workouts, but thinks he’s proved otherwise
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) June 10, 2016
Brown is correct in that one of the biggest knocks on him coming into the draft was his questionable jump shot. If he shows that he can knock down the three-pointer with regularity it would really boost his stock as very few can match his athleticism and defensive potential.
Nonetheless, Brown is likely not someone who the Lakers would seriously consider with the second overall pick. Ingram will almost surely be the choice there assuming Ben Simmons goes first overall. Of course, if a great trade materializes the Lakers could potentially move down and Brown could be a Lakers target at a different spot.
Though there have been rumblings that the Lakers could, or should, take someone else, Ingram looks to be the guy for the Lakers.