The Los Angeles Lakers hold the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft, and there has been a lot of clutter to sort through as to their plans with the pick. Here are three rumors you need to know:
Los Angeles Is "Locked" On Jahlil Okafor
The Lakers are doing their due diligence by bringing in numerous draft prospects, but according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, they’re locked in on drafting Duke center Jahlil Okafor with the No. 2 overall pick:
The Lakers are going through the motions with other draft prospects—D’Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay have been in for workouts—but multiple league sources say L.A. is locked in on Okafor. Despite being overtaken by Towns, scouts still see Okafor as a franchise center—one with an enormous upside.
Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns has jumped Okafor as the consensus No. 1 pick, but if the Minnesota Timberwolves draft Okafor first, the Lakers will gladly take Towns.
Kristaps Porzingis Works Out Privately For Los Angeles
Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis is rising quickly up draft boards, and the Los Angeles Lakers brought him back for a surprise private workout, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
Every day, front-office fascinations rise with Porzingis. Every day, he’s moving himself closer into contention to become one of the top three picks in the NBA draft on June 25. Los Angeles Lakers officials conducted a workout of Porzingis on Monday night at the franchise’s El Segundo, Calif., practice facility, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Los Angeles Won't Draft Player Because He Can Play With, Likes Kobe
Los Angeles is considering several options with the No. 2 pick – namely Duke’s Jahlil Okafor or Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell – and fans are wondering how the prospects would mesh with Kobe Bryant on the court.
However, according to general manager Mitch Kupchak via the L.A. Daily News, Bryant’s “never been great with rookies,” and he won’t be a major factor in their draft decision:
“We’re not going to pick a player because he can play with Kobe, likes Kobe or dislikes Kobe,” Kupchak said. “We’re going to pick the player that can have the longest and best career.”
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