There has been much innuendo and rumor in recent weeks that Lonzo Ball would not necessarily be taken by the Lakers with their second overall pick. Still, a majority of executives at the adidas EuroCamp expect the Lakers to draft Ball second, reports Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com (link via Twitter). Howard goes on to state that these executives believe that the purple and gold like De’Aaron Fox and Josh Jackson, but still lean towards Ball.
Check out the latest news in pre-draft workouts here:
- On Saturday, the Blazers held their fourth of six pre-draft workouts, hosting Bam Adebayo (Kentucky), Dwayne Bacon (Florida State), Dillon Brooks (Oregon), Terrance Ferguson (NBL – Australia), Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin), and Melo Trimble (Maryland), reports Casey Holdahl of NBA.com.
- Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin) is also scheduled to work out for the Knicks, which will occur this coming week, reports Ian Begley of ESPN.com.
- Kyle Kuzma will work out for the 76ers on Monday, according to Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune (link via Twitter).
- TJ Leaf has a workout scheduled with the Jazz for Sunday, also per Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune (link via Twitter).
- Zach Collins (Gonzaga) will work out for the Kings on Sunday, as reported by James Ham of NBC Sports (link via Twitter).
If they want to gamble. Trade for 5 and 10 maybe Ball is there at 5. Pick up another piece or use them in a trade for PG13.
If the LOS LAKERS want to make MAGIC: TRADE the #2 to the KINGS for #5 & #10 (LAKERS also have #28).
Plus LAKERS include one of those contracts from Deng or Mozgov & KINGS throw in Willie Cauley-Stein (or not).
If the LAKERS do, they’ll still have a chance at snagging a new FRANCHISE POINT GUARD like De’Aaron Fox, Dennis Smith Jr. or Frank Ntilikina.
The LAKERS should draft players that play DEFENSE.
The LAKERS would still be able to walk away with a prospect like Josh Jackson, Semi Ojeleye, *Sindarius Thornwell, Jonathan Isaac, Jayson Tatum, Damyean Dotson, Malik Monk or *LAURI MARKKANEN* as well.
Markkanen is a great pick and pop big & is hard to guard on the switch because of his range. He can shoot the ball with ease from deep as he shot 42.3 percent on 144 attempts.
*Sindarius Thornwell was the SEC Player of the Year who has a strong NBA-body & improved as a shooter in his senior year.
*Damyean Dotson has the potential to be a ‘3-and-D’ wing at the next level as an athletic player who shot over 44 percent from three-point range last year at Houston.
THINK OF IT, in this deep draft, the LAKERS could have 3 FIRST-ROUND pics & the contracts that they would be under would help when recruiting RUSSELL WESTBROOK & PAUL GEORGE in 2018-19
The Lakers will pass and select Lonzo!
Ain’t nobody taking Deng/Mozgyov without being significantly compelled by other assets alongside each of them. Those deals are anchors.