Leading into the 2015 NBA Draft, many believed the Los Angeles Lakers would likely take Duke center Jahlil Okafor. A polished post player, Okafor seemed like a perfect fit for a Lakers franchise with a history of great centers.
After workouts however, the team came to the decision that the best option was to select point guard D’Angelo Russell, whom they believed had the higher ceiling. Russell has had his ups and downs with the Lakers as has Okafor who has seen his playing time fluctuate with the abundance of centers in Philadelphia.
It is no secret to anyone that Okafor will be dealt before the trade deadline and in an interview on NBA TV, David Aldridge mentioned the Lakers as a potential destination (H/T Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer):
“But he will get moved, I can tell you that.