Yes. YES. YESSSSS.
Earlier today I wasn’t necessarily pessimistic, but I was not encouraged by the math nor the history surrounding the Lakers’ chances of keeping their top-3 protected pick. Those concerns turned out to be misplaced as the Lakers retained their pick and held their draft slot in Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery. They will select at #2 overall in June’s draft and have their pick of a top player who can bolster their young core of talent.
There will be arguments, of course, about who the Lakers select, but that will almost certainly be determined by who the 76ers choose with the #1 overall pick. In a draft with two very highly touted prospects, the Lakers would do well simply to take whoever Philly leaves on the board and call it a day.
But that’s a discussion for another day. We’ll have plenty of time to break down the prospects, play favorites, and have lively back-and-forth talks about the players. For now, though, it’s time to celebrate. Keeping the pick doesn’t ensure contending any sooner, but considering the consequences of losing the pick would have been a kick in the stomach and the avenues opened up to the team by retaining the pick, there’s no need to feel anything but joy today.
We’ll have more updates in the coming days. But, for now, YES! The Lakers will go into the summer with a new young coach who has the fanbase excited, the opportunity to select a fantastic prospect, and a boatload of cap space to chase free agents. Today is a good day, Lakers’ fans. Enjoy it.
JY says
What a great reward for such a difficult season to watch. To all my lakers family.. Cheers
Mid-Wilshire says
The above comment is not from me.
As any of the regulars can tell, that represents neither my style nor my sentiments.
dxmanners says
A case where 2 is better than 1, less second guessing. RIP Jim McMillian, we haven’t forgotten you. And I would listen to trade offers for Russell or Randle.
Mike says
Two is never better than one. A front office that is happy to settle for whoever isn’t selected number one is one that has no confidence in their own abilities and would rather rely on luck than their scouting, knowledge, and expertise.
Gus says
I’m really happy with the #2 pick – thank the lord we kept it! And I like Ingram – I hate Simmons’ attitude – and I’m Australian! But does it annoy anyone else that Philly have been rewarded again (with #1 this time)? They are a joke of a franchise! Their blatant tanking makes a mockery of the NBA and it just upsets me they’ve been given yet another lifeline
Robert says
Any of you fans of the early eighties remember that the NBA had a big three. The Lakers, the Celtics, and the Sixers. And here we are that those three get the top 3 lottery picks. Wow
Ed says
Both guys better work their asses off in the next weeks to get their games ready for the Laker workouts before the draft. Simmons does give off some bad vibes,but will it be enough for Philly to pass on him.
Shaun says
any chance we move up from 32?
id like another flyer on thon maker ….at the range around 32 but id love to jump up to get him
Mid-Wilshire says
Aside from drafting well (which I believe the FO will do), the next big step will be for the Lakers to recruit some solid veterans who can come off the bench and stabilize the team. The bench next season will probably play a big role. (If the Lakers draft Ingram, he may actually come off the bench, at least, initially.)
The Lakers have absolutely got to recruit well in Free Agency — across the board.
One thing for certain, the Lakers will be a lot more intriguing to Free Agents than they were 4 weeks ago.
bluehill says
Relevant article from a Sixers blog looking at Simmons and Ingram and draws a comparison to another player we’re all interested in, DeRozan.
http://www.libertyballers.com/2016/3/15/11223818/ben-simmons-is-a-tough-fit-in-the-nba-not-just-the-sixers
“… Simmons might hope to become a do-it-all swingman much like DeRozan, but the manner in which they get there is much different. DeRozan is a scorer and attacker first, with his paltry early assist numbers rising over the last six years as his touches increased. He has certainly grown into more of a playmaker, but it is a side effect of usage more than possession of any elite skills. I’m more comfortable putting a player like him in a variety of off-ball situations, letting teammates like Kyle Lowry carry more of the creation load.
That is not Simmons’ M.O. The glimpses of whatever transcendent abilities he may possess are attached to his court vision and ability to create looks for himself and others when in space. You might better fit him as a cog in a machine by leveraging his basketball IQ off the ball, but you want him to be the machine in which you fit the rest of the parts.”
rr says
Ingram: He will not be 19 until September, so while I think the Lakers should take him and keep him if he is on the board, I think people should cool their jets about how this speeds things up or about his presence helping with FA recruitment. Basically, the Lakers are about 1.5 years and one franchise anchor behind Minnesota, and if by this time next year they are where Minnesota is now, it will have been a good year. That said, Ingram does appear to have a very high upside (as well as a long development curve). I do not see Chicago or Indiana moving Jimmy Butler or Paul George here for what the Lakers have.
Picks: The 2017 pick is, again, 1-3 protected and owed to Philadelphia.
Vasheed says
This may be the easiest draft choice ever. Cheers!
bluehill says
Another long article about Ingram. Clearly I’m leaning his way.
http://www.si.com/longform/brandon-ingram-2016-nba-draft
“Becoming the no. 1 overall pick can be a matter of ability, production and projectability. It can also be a matter of timing. The top Duke-produced draft prospect last season, Jahlil Okafor, was inarguably talented and productive in college, but his elite skill was back-to-the-basket post offense, which would’ve made him a more valuable draft commodity in 1995’s NBA rather than 2015’s, when he remained on the board until the third pick. The Blue Devils’ top prospect in 2016, Brandon Ingram, had a less dominant one-and-done freshman season than Okafor did, but Ingram, for NBA teams, may be the right pick at the right time. The league is in its length-and-shooting era, and Ingram could be the best, pre-packaged length-and-shooting prospect to come along in nearly a decade. He’s 6’9″ with arms that spool out like filament wire, stretching to a 7’3″ wingspan and a 9’1.5″ standing reach, and he shot 41.0% on three-pointers as an 18-year-old at Duke.”
Fern says
If your been on this site for a while or even if your new. I dont think there has been a month stretch, this joyful, this full of hope since the summer of 2012. Yeah the Nash and Dwight double whammy. If you say that you saw how it turned out coming your a liar lol. But tonight is a momentous night. The Lakers rebuild got some serious nitro feed and love them or hate them the FO might pull this off. Im so happy!! We as Lakers fans are not used to sweat the lottery i was sweating, couldn’t sit down. My wife is a Laker fan but not on my level lol she was like sit down!!! I sweated this draft like it was a game 7 this was our playoffs Now the FO needs to go to work. I feel confidence on them for the 1st time in a long time.
Anonymous says
Some mock drafts show thon maker in the second round, i wonder if we can move up and get chiek diallo
matt says
Question to ponder, is ingram ready to start right away, if not who do you bring in as a temporary starter until he’s ready?, (anthony brown should not be considered )
matt says
I suspect the lakers will overpay for a veteran starter, like al horford, I still think they should not give the max deal to any center, because they are becoming more like role players, i would rather have them sign 2 quality centers to share playing time, and draft a 3rd or resign tarik black
Mikey says
Smartoce is to make early and high offers on both Harrison Barnes and Ezeli, in my opinion. LA needs vets, and vets who have both won rings, and play D, and have great synergy with Walton, and fit into Lakers greatest needs, are ultra valuable.
Make huge offers for both, Golden state can only keep one. Either you get a rim defender and put back and dive man, or a two way small forward to groom Ingram.
Then hunt for Jared Dudley and or other 3 and D types on shorter contracts
Everclear says
Trade the pick for Kwame Brown.
Set up seats along Figueroa.
Profit.
clove says
Bonuses for Cupcake and BS!
Mansa says
Shaun – I am right there with you on Thon Maker. I would be extatic if we could walk away with either Simmons/Ingram and Maker. But I don’t think he falls to the second round, his draft stock keeps going up and I have a hard time seeing him slip past Golden State with the last pick. Boston may even snatch him due to the fact that that they have several first round picks. I would love to see the Lakers get a late first rounder, but they have nothing valuable to deal, unless maybe they move Lou Williams which I doubt would net a late first rounder, plus he’s one of our vets. But we’ll see what happens.
Mikey – I definitely don’t want Jared Dudley, never been a fan. I would rather have Courtney Lee, much more productive 3 and D guy IMO
Ryan P says
Only three times the lakers have had the second overall pick: The Logo, DLo, and someone the lakers traded for KAJ.
P. Ami says
Great, great day… Stockpile talent and develope it. There once was a team that showed friskiness against a very good Spurs team. Nick the Quick, Eddie, Vlade, Lynch, Peeler, Elden, Lake Ced… It was a solid team that was transformed over time by trades that netted us Kobe and a FA signing of Shaq. Still young, a trade of Ced got us Horry, Eddie and Elden got us Rice plus the team got Fox on a sweet deal because he wanted to win. Still young we added vets and Phil to win chips. There are lots of ways to win, lots of ways to build but look at the teams with long term success… GSW, Spurs, OKC, these teams drafted and developed their talent. The success we had over the years came from drafting and developing our talent. Even the Cavs drafted their main guys and developed them. Love came from a trade after the team got LBJ and saw their window. We need to develop our talent, collect assets and then jump on a sweet deal when the time is right. It might be a trade or eventual FA signing but for now, I’m hoping we get to watch these young fellas grow. We kept our pick. It’s a good day!!!
Mid-Wilshire says
P. Ami,
I share your enthusiasm. Today was a very good day. In fact, as Fern said earlier, it’s been a good several weeks.
We have several things to do now: 1) Fill out the coaching staff; 2) draft wisely and well; and 3) sign FAs who will have a meaningful future with the team.
If we do all of that, we’ll be on our way to a strong re-build. We’re still a few years away from contending obviously. But I think we’re getting there.
Next year — with a new Head Coach, better and smarter young players from last year, a new rookie or two, a new system, and, really, a new mind set — should be very interesting.
It feels to me as if we’re doing the right things. Of course, time will tell. But I’m becoming more and more optimistic by the day.
Altemawa says
woooooooooooooooooooh.
yes yes yes!
we’re keeping our pick, our silent tanking was not wasted.
i have a feeling that good karma is now on our side……
this is indeed a good day of celebration. congrats Lakers!
Fern says
@ Matt the Lakers have the money to play it safe. They can get a young nice veteran in the starting lineup and ease whoever into the starting lineup.We have the money. If the FO play this right…
bleedpurplegold says
Party time 🙂 do you remember simmons words?!? Catch me on the lakers next year 🙂 i really could see him pressing his way to us, and i would be thrilled to welcome him here as i dont belive he will jave any major issues with his work ethic in this situation with that coach we just signed.
Same with ingram, he has durant-esque potential. You guys want to overpay barnes? No way if we get that guy, he will be the truth in 2 years!
In other words: we cant do wrong with either guy. Best day for this franchise since the day we traded kwame for gasol 🙂
Right there with you guys on maker as i mentioned a couple threads back….he will be the steal of the draft and would develop nicely behind a veteran signee like joe noah
grumpy says
Woohoo! Great news! This definitely helps the Lakers’ chances back to glory, at least from a talent acquisition / asset accumulation standpoint. While I won’t go into too much details about both guys, I think either would help the Lakers a lot.
Ingram projects, at least initially, as a potentially great 3 and D player. And in this sense he slots in very well, as the Lakers need a new small forward.
Simmons projects as an all around player, in the Lamar Odom mold. He’s not a passable jump shooter at the moment, so it’s hard to see him playing alongside Randle.
That said, I consider Simmons an intriguing fit. There is a recent trend in the NBA of having players that are versatile and positionless. From this standpoint Simmons stands out. What would be fascinating to watch is a fast break with Russell, Clarkson, Randle, and Simmons pushing the ball. All four have shown glimpses (or more than glimpses) of being able to bring up and push the ball in transition. Traditional half court sets would be a bit harder to picture as Simmons and Randle both can’t shoot at the moment and this would really hurt spacing. Also, it’s unknown if Simmons or Randle can successfully guard other small forwards.
All the same and whichever way the Lakers go, it’s a good day to be a Lakers fan.
Renato Afonso says
Today is a good day and there is no way to botch the pick. It’s not that they’ve botched the previous pick, but this way they simply can’t miss. The Lakers need talent but assuming their talent is equal (it’s not), Ingram fits a need (3 and D wing) and Simmons doesn’t (too many PF’s).
However, we must remember that Philadelphia already drafted Noel, Embiid, Okafor and Saric in the last few drafts, so they may take Ingram with the #1. On June 23rd the FO will know whom to chase in FA or who to trade for.
Slappy says
Dear Lord, I don’t ask for much, most often noting at all, but I’m asking now. Please make it so the Sixers are as clueless as some here and they draft Ingram. Make it so the Lakers have that generational talent that you created and who goes by the name, Ben Simmons. Oh, and Ben, please, for the love of Deity, refuse to work out for the Sixers and tank the interview even better than Byron tanked to get the pick. Be sure to include in your interview the line that if you are drafted by the Sixers, you are bolting the first chance you get. In other words, anyone here who wants Ingram over Simmons needs a strong does of reality check. Few and far between are the souls who can do what Simmons does with body in motion. The jumper is eminently fixable. The other guy is a slender reed who has trouble finishing with contact. Why all this insanity re mental fortitude is so entirely misplaced. He may want to, but right now he can’t. And that’s a lot less fixable than a jump shot. Most of the time, you either have it or you don’t (way more moving parts for one’s brain to control, and in motion). Lastly, and by the way, the whole, he’s mentally weak crap, well, they came up with that as the talent is so transcendent that there’d have been but only him to write and talk about unless they came up with that utter feces.
Warren Wee Lim says
I woke up 7:30am and struggled to keep my eyes open. Its the lottery dammit!
However, something with me was lackluster and calm. Somehow I had already pegged that the Lakers lose the pick to Philly by some form of cruel joke by the basketball gods.
By the time 8am (I live in Philippines) came about, TV was ready to air the coverage and I knew, from watching the lottery since 2007 that formal news (and Mark Tatum’s face) would be at around 8:15. I had kept a screenshot of the draft order prior to the lotto to see which lucky team would steal our pick (in essence).
Eric Pincus was barrage-tweeting. With every envelope opened and logos presented, I knew I needed something to keep me up. The suspense surely didn’t, coz I was convinced that we would lose this pick. And then 5 teams remained. Upon seeing/hearing the Wolves, my heart beat like 1000 miles per hour and knew, this was it. I knew, that if by the 6th pick no team has jumped yet, it would be very unlikely for 2 teams to leapfrog us from #2. Anxiety became depression when the 4th pick envelope was opened. I was so sure I saw the 76ers logo and all my fears are coming true.
Until there were three, and the order of the pre-lotto stayed true to form. My feeling then was, since we’re guaranteed a top 3 pick, it would be devastating to be at 3 when we’re so close.
Suddenly, depression became hysteria! My eyes couldn’t blink and the commercials was pure torture to watch. And then the filthy leprechaun logo showed which made me do cartwheels (in my mind only, but I sure couldn’t stop myself from a fist pump) while my 3 daughters remained asleep.
YES! No other words were required. I want to savor this for now, because what comes next are endless possibilities of offers, trades, ideas and video-scouting Ingram vs Simmons. For now, I wallow in the state of my team that has been 2/2 so far for my “homerun” of an offseason. The possibilities, ideas… they are for another day.
YES!
minorthreatt says
Lou & 32 might be enough to get you back into the second half of the first round if the right guy falls.
BigCitySid says
– Last night was a good one. # 2 is fine. Getting to keep the pick after hiring Luke as coach has made the month of May the best month the Lakers have had in years.
– Already hearing Simmons may try and pull a Kobe, informing Philly he’s not interesting in playing for them. Keeping my ears open.
– The Philly organization receiving the 1st pick doesn’t bug me as much as the Celtics getting the 3rd. At this point they are ahead of our Lakers in the race for another ring.
– If the 2017 pick is also top 3 protected, let me say right now, personally, I have no interest in it, I don’t want it.
Jim C. says
Re: Brandon Ingram starting right away on the assumption that Philly takes Simmons
Unless you pick up a guy like Durant or Lebron in free agency this offseason, which I think nobody should realistically expect, you MUST start Ingram immediately.
1. I continue to think Barnes is hideously overrated and not worthy of a max contract, as this postseason has been showing in spades. Batum I like a little more, but again not “max money” more. So I don’t think there’s going to be star free agent signing worth starting ahead of Ingram.
2. Russell/Randle/Clarkson/Ingram is your core for the future. With all due respect to guys like Nance, Black and Brown, they aren’t on the same talent level as our current core four. That means that you need to get those core four players playing together as often as possible. That way you’ll be able to tell whether their games will mesh together on the court. We don’t need a repeat of last year where Scott juggled the lineups with no regard to future chemistry.
3. Barring a couple of monster free agent signings such as DeRozan and Whiteside, the Lakers aren’t going to be in “win now” mode next year. The priority should still be on developing the youngsters.
4. Even if the Lakers DO get two max guys, they’ll probably be a fringe contender at best, several steps behind teams like Golden State, OKC and San Antonio. So, again, the future is how well Russell/Randle/Clarkson and Ingram develop.
Essentially, in my mind there’s no conceivable reason for whomever we take at the #2 overall spot not to play, start, and log 34 minutes per game from day one.
PurpleBlood says
Warren,
entertaining post, thanks! (& this is a gem: the filthy leprechaun logo – hahahaha)
__
`– The Philly organization receiving the 1st pick doesn’t bug me as much as the Celtics getting the 3rd. At this point they are ahead of our Lakers in the race for another ring.´
Big City:
Though I certainly get where you´re coming from, this particular point reminded me of what Chick would always say. Mainly that he preferred to face a team at full strength (especially in the playoffs, & of course in the Celtics´ case that´d be in the finals [gulp]), as the surest way to measure our Lakers´ true worth as a bball team.
I´d have to go along with that, & I´m sure you do as well when the ball gets rollin´ and it´s time to get our hands dirty down there in the nitty-gritty – would you agree, amigo? All the best.
Thank you to the month of May! You´ve been quite kind, quite kind –
Anonymous says
If Simmons tells Philly he doesn’t want to play there, I wonder if Philly approaches Lakers with a deal: the right to swap the first and second picks in exchange for a current Laker player or future pick. That’s permissible, right?
According to Slappy, the Lakers should make inquiries along those lines, if Simmons is that transcendant. The highlights don’t always tell the whol story, but his rebounding and passing would seem to fit seamlessly into a “Warriors-type” system – if there really is such a thing without Curry, Thompson and Green.
Anonymous says
I’m getting the feeling that Philly will take Ingram. Simmons is a nice consolation prize but that gives us two forwards that can’t shoot outside the key. I guess we’ll have to send them both to shooter’s school.
Kevin says
If Simmons tells Philly he doesn’t want to play there, I wonder if Philly approaches Lakers with a deal: the right to swap the first and second picks in exchange for a current Laker player or future pick. That’s permissible, right?
__
I don’t see the Lakers doing that. I think the Lakers would just take whomever is left and deal with it.
R says
This narrative about Simmons somehow “forcing” his way to LA reminds me of last years narrative of KAT somehow “forcing” his way to LA. We all know how THAT turned out.
Folks, the owners are many things but stupid isn’t one of them. Very very few players have the leverage you are talking about. Yep, LBJ is about the only one. As opposed to a 19yo scrub (basically).
24hrx. says
Simmons is gonna be a superstar – the next greatest Laker. How is he not the new Magic? If I was the Sixers, I’d put him at point.
Nik Kannan says
Jim C –
Yes on Whiteside – Pass on DeRosen.
Based on his postseason play – id rather pass on giving him a max contract.
This is a what-if – but package Randle and Clarkson, Young & the 2nd round pick for Boogie.
Sign Whiteside and Batum
Starting line-up D’ Russell, Batum, Ingram/Simmons, Boogie, & whiteside….
Anonymous says
KAT is a high-character guy. I have my doubts about Simmons’ character. Not that that is good news, though…
Clay Bertrand says
Deja Vu with the number Two………….
Can we draft Porzingis this time!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!??????? lol
P.Ami, I agree with your sentiments. I am personally just fine with a youth movement. We need to build a NEST before we can get a fancy bird to want to hang out in our tree!!! Once we have our core rooted and flourishing, players will take notice. We need to fatten up our assets and just grow as a basketball team for awhile. I actually think that the FA class NEXT summer (2017) will actually be our best time to pounce on a meaningful cornerstone FA.
I’m getting tired of reading or hearing BS demands from pundits and posters who say, “The Lakers NEED a Superstar.” or “This is L.A…..these are the LAKERS….they gotta have a superstar…” or “Well, NO MORE KOBE……the Lakers don’t have any Superstars now to sell seats or make people tune in…” BLAH BLAH BLAH BEEEE ESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First of all, COACH DAVE MILLER ON TWCSN, how many “superstars” are even in the league these days? 5? 10? 15?? 20??? How many are realistically available??? Zero?? None?? One?? Three??? Is Jimmy Butler a SUPERSTAR????? Is DeMarcus Cousins who has never played a playoff game a SUPERSTAR??!?!? C’mon man!!!!!!!!!
The tired mantra that, “THE LAKERS HAVE ALWAYS HAD STAR PLAYERS….” and that somehow, this abstract Caveman observance of the past translates into some sort of viable TEAM BUILDING STRATEGY is such a perversion of reality it hurts my ears listening to it!!!!
Either mention names and discuss realistic scenarios or STFU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Things are REAL now. We can say we have our draft pick. We can see WHO is a FA this year and next. No more of this, “THE LAKERS NEED TO SIGN SOME GOOD FREE AGENTS…..” Well WHO???? NAME A NAME!!!! WHO do we sign????? We can only sign who is available. We can ALL look and see those lists anytime we want. No more BS wishing on some MYTHICAL SUPERSTAR or RUMOR OF SOME IDEAL YET NAMELESS FREE AGENTS!!!!!!! Reality is before all of us to see here.
We can all NAME NAMES now Dave Miller!!!…….(although not here in trade discussion form).
I prefer keeping the pick. I would not trade the pick for an established VET without some VERY good indication that I will be able to land a high level FA to go with that VET. Otherwise, its still not a balanced roster age wise. We are not an ASSET RICH team these days. We shouldn’t be so fast to trade two or three assets, for ONE second tierish player to accelerate our “growth”.
Does this SAMPLE line up sound enticing??
PG: Rondo
SG: Clarkson
SF: P. George
PF: Randall
C: Ezeli
***NO PICK, NO RUSSELL
Not that I am saying to pass on all FA signings this summer. We should make smart additions where we can (Ezeli, Biyombo, Noah, Whiteside, Fournier?, R. Anderson?, Marvin Williams?, Bazemore, Batum?, etc.) while keeping at least a max slot for the 2017 class. I’d prefer the organic slow growth of a drafted core and a youth movement followed by a BIG FA signing in 2017 to the hasty GRAB WHATEVER VETS WE CAN NOW CUZ WE GOTTA HAVE VETS TO WIN ASAP panacea strategy.
Either way, today is WAY better than yesterday!!!!!!!!! I agree with Mid-Wilshire—THINGS ARE LOOKING UP for the first time in a long time!!!!!!!!!!! Only way it coulda been better is if Boston had got the 6th pick……..
Ed says
A lot depends on how both guys approach the Philly workouts. I`m sure Ingram will give his best to impress and be the #1 choice. Based on his comments and attitude,not so sure about Simmons. In that case Philly would probably play it safe and go with the known quantity.
Alex says
I just watched just about all Simmons highlights available. While I like Ingram a lot, how can anyone pass on Simmons for #1? He could be Magic Johnson, from the vision, skills and size dominating early, to developing a shot later. Unlike last year’s draft where KAT was just so much better than anyone else, this year it’s close. Simmons wants LAL for several reasons, and could dissuade the 76ers in interview or workouts, while coach K pitches Ingram to Colangelo. The good news is, unless we trade the pick, we are in a can’t-lose situation. What a great day!
Jim C. says
Nik:
With regards to DeRozan, I definitely can understand that a lot of folks are really down on him. He admittedly hasn’t had the greatest playoff run so far. But look at Klay Thompson’s playoff run last year. Brutal.
I choose to go with the larger sample size with DeRozan of the 82 game regular season. But…I can understand why some might be down on a SG who can’t really shoot the three consistently, I’d also be perfectly happy with, say, Horford as a signing in place of DeRozan. Something like this is awfully enticing.
PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Jordan Clarkson
SF: Ingram/Simmons
PF: Al Horford
C: Hassan Whiteside
B1: Julius Randle
B2: Lou WIlliams
B3: Larry Nance
etc.
Particularly enticing if either Randle or Nance or both develop enough of an outside shot that they can backup at both SF and PF.
Alex says
I’m with Clay, 100%, except maybe for the CAPs and exc!ams today. 🙂
You only win championships with stars, sure, where/when you find them is the question. In the era of few stars to teams, terms favoring staying put, and an equalizing salary cap, you can’t just sign a Shaq in FA. Now is about getting stars early at a good price, hence the value of the draft being so much more than ever before. As far as FA’s, I like Whiteside, Derozan and possibly Barnes as options because they are young, have upside, and come from winning programs. I also think each one will listen to our pitch.
Darius Soriano says
Mike,
Mitch said yesterday he was happy with #2, but got greedy and really wanted #1 overall. Then he said he thinks the Lakers have the best international and domestic scouting team in the league. Followed all that up by saying the team needs to draft well, but that he thinks they will next month. Doesn’t sound like a guy lacking of confidence.
That said, Chad Ford said he spoke with some execs at the lottery who intimated exactly what DX Manners said above. That being at 2 makes things much simpler and cleaner and, to some of them, even preferable to being at 1. Still, though, I’d imagine they’d all jump at the chance to pick #1 overall in any draft, including this one. I’m pretty much positive the Lakers would.
AttilasDaughter says
The good thing about #2 is that e don’t have make the decision.
Either a great fit or a generational talent.
Philadelphia makes the decision.
I wanted Simmons from the start, but I can see how Ingram is what we need.
Well, except he is maybe not the next franchise player and super star.
The focus should go to center.
Ezeli, Whiteside, Biyombo, Noah.
Guest says
So now we’re celebrating back-to-back #2 overall picks. We were used to celebrating back-to-back championships in the old days (i.e., last time being just six years ago).
But real fans find the silver lining in the cloud.