The first time the Los Angeles Lakers missed the playoffs during their current streak of infamy, they gained the seventh pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and used it to select a power forward from Kentucky named Julius Randle.
He had unique skills for a man who stood 6-foot-9 and weighed about 250 lbs, but some were concerned about his relatively short wingspan and lack of elite hops.
Although it took him a little while to develop, last season he blossomed and gave the Lakers 16.1 points and eight rebounds per game while shooting 55.