After securing the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft for a third straight year, the Los Angeles Lakers have been tasked with evaluating top-tier talent coming out of college in order to make the right on draft day come June 22.
Former Kansas star Josh Jackson is one of those talented players that have attracted the attention of the Lakers brass as they continue their evaluation process. Jackson showcased his skills in front of Magic Johnson and company on Thursday and promptly thanked the team for the opportunity on Twitter:
Thank you for the opportunity @Lakers ???????? https://t.co/wzfHDAHe91
— Josh Jackson (@j_josh11) June 8, 2017
The consensus at this point is Lonzo Ball out of UCLA will be the pick for the Lakers at No. 2. Washington Huskies product Markelle Fultz is expected to be taken by the Boston Celtics at No. 1 leaving prospects like Jackson, Jayson Tatum (Duke), and De’Aaron Fox (Kentucky) likely taken between No. 3 and 5.
Although Ball seems to be the obvious choice for the Lakers at No. 2, the team could easily decide to go with Jackson or any of the other prospects mentioned that are available once the team is on the clock later this month. Jackson brings an entirely different dynamic to the table for the Lakers as he would be more a defensive-minded selection rather than addressing a need at the point guard position with Ball.
Now that the team has gotten a look at Jackson, the team will turn their attention to Fox. The Lakers will work out Fox next Tuesday in Los Angeles. The Kentucky standout may ultimately be the player that makes their decision the toughest as it could very well come down to Fox and Ball if they’re determined to draft their point guard of the future.