Silver Screen and Roll - Lakers NBA Draft lottery coverage, news, updates and moreA Blog devoted to Lakers News, Commentary, and Analysishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/13178/silver-fave.jpg2015-05-21T21:12:51-07:00http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/rss/stream/83896582015-05-21T21:12:51-07:002015-05-21T21:12:51-07:00Mitch Kupchak dishes on the Lakers draft pick
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<p>Mitch Kupchak's recent interview provided some juicy tidbits about the draft, free agency, the Lakers young players, and Kobe's future.</p> <p>On Thursday morning Mitch Kupchak appeared on ESPN's radio program <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=12926461">"The Herd with Colin Cowherd"</a> to discuss a wide variety of topics, including the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> draft pick, free agency, and the future of Kobe Bryant. The nearly 11-minute interview included some juicy discussion about the Lakers future, and although Mitch was, as usual, very selective with his words he did slip in a few purposefully vague comments that give us some idea as to which way the Lakers are leaning with the number 2 pick.</p>
<p>Here is what Mitch had to say:</p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><b>On trading the pick</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"I think that's something that we would have to look at, we have had the pick for less than two days, and it's been pretty busy although we haven't sat down and gone through our options, but that is an option" </i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>On the pressure to rebuild quickly:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"In Los Angeles, and maybe in New York, some of the bigger markets...particularly in Los Angeles because we've had such great success, there probably is more pressure here,more expectation, to rebuild quicker verses taking your time through the draft. The draft presently really presents a lot of opportunity and benefits with the new rules. It's tough to get free agents, as a team trying to acquire a free agent, if it's a max player can't offer the same amount of money as the home team can, so you have to find a unique situation to get a max player." </i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>On the Lakers rebuild around Jordan Clarkson, <span>Julius Randle</span>, and the number 2 pick:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"Last year we got two good players. Jordan Clarkson ended up making the all-rookie team and we drafted him in the 40's, didn't know he was going to have the kind of year but he played a lot of minutes on a team that wasn't very good, so we are very encouraged but the jury is still out on him. Julius Randle, our lottery pick, got hurt in the first game of the year, and it looks as though we will use our pick this year, so that would mean three really highly acclaimed players in two years. So we have a head start on building through the draft, and then this summer we have a lot of cap room, and with the cap going up next summer we will still have a lot of cap room. We are going to use the draft and we have to be aggressive in free agency.</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>On Kobe getting involved in deciding who to draft: </b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"7 or 8 years ago he (Kobe) just backed away and said you guys know what you're doing, which was very flattering...and that's kind of where we are today"</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>On Kobe returning after this season: </b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"We haven't even begun to go down that road...the last time I talk to him about something like this this was it. The 2 years, he was gonna run through a wall for us, and then...he was gonna hang 'em up, and that's where it is today. I would be very surprised if there was any kind of discussion until, if at all, a year from now."</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>On the shift towards a more guard-oriented NBA</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"There is no doubt that the game that is being played today is very different than the game that was being played 8-10 years ago. It's the three point shot, the drive and kick...but the teams that have great success still have centers....so you still need size in this league. You need a rim protector, a guy to take space, a guy to run an offense through"</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>On the quality of talent available in the 2015 draft:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"It's always kind of a crap shoot....there are a couple of players in Europe that have put their name in and I think they are really, really good prospects...there could be 5-7 players that, looking back on this thing 7 or 8 years from now, could be All-Star players"</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>On the rumors of <span>Rajon Rondo</span> coming to LA</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"We have a rookie who had a good year who is a ball-handling guard, who could also I think share the backcourt with another ball-handling player, I think that would work. The other thing we have is a lot of cap room, and we have to be aggressive. Now we also have the pick, which takes a little bit of the pressure off to do something borderline this summer."</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>On <span>Jordan Clarkson's</span> position</b>:</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"I think you classify him as a ball handling guard and if there is a player who plays like him it's <span>Russell Westbrook</span>. Now I'm not saying for a second that Jordan Clarkson is the next Russell Westbrook, but he's that kind of a ball-handling guard, he looks to attack the rim, he's aggressive offensively, he's not gonna walk the ball up the court, make the entry pass, and cut through. He's gonna push the ball, look for a crack and try to get to the rim and make a play...but he's not your typical prototype ball-handling point guard" </i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Finally, a major hint on who the Lakers are leaning towards in the draft:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>"We haven't worked anybody out, we haven't interviewed anybody, but clearly, at the top of the draft there are two bigs and we have the second pick"</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
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<p>Mitch Kupchak offered up some very revealing tidbits there, and he definitely makes it sound as though the Lakers are <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/20/8632815/la-lakers-draft-rumor-karl-anthony-towns-jahlil-okafor-nba">indeed leaning towards</a> selecting either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor in the upcoming draft. Even Kupchak's general insight on the modern, guard-driven NBA suggests that he considers having a dominant post-player to be a key factor in the success of a team. W</p>
<p>However, smoke screens are very common this time of year, and it is all but guaranteed that the Lakers will look at all options, including <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/21/8632973/la-lakers-nba-draft-2015-dangel-russell">selecting a guard </a>like D'Angelo Russell or Emanuel Mudiay. The Lakers are known to be a tight-lipped organization, and it's always possible that Mitch has an ulterior motive for giving the impression that the purple and gold will go big in the draft.</p>
<p>The great thing for Lakers fans is that regardless of who the team selects in the upcoming draft, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/4/14/8385591/la-lakers-draft-free-agents-salary-cap-kobe-bryant">future is looking bright </a>in Los Angeles.</p>
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/21/8642023/mitch-kupchak-on-the-draft-pick-free-agency-and-kobes-futureTrevor Lane2015-05-21T09:54:32-07:002015-05-21T09:54:32-07:00Okafor has 'heart set' on Lakers, per report
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<p>The chance of becoming the Lakers' franchise center has Jahlil Okafor's attention. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> hold the No. 2 pick and will likely take their pick of whoever's left between Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Minnesota Timberwolves, however, might be in a strange position. Okafor is rumored to have his "heart set" on joining the Lakers, <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Ramifications-of-the-Ping-Pong-Balls-Post-Lottery-Analysis--4998" target="_blank">according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress</a>.</p>
<p>NBA front offices hold workouts, interviews and other activities with top prospects leading through the draft, which is generally handled by agents. There's no question that behind the scenes negotiations could be in play, which isn't something unfamiliar to the Lakers. <a href="http://www.chatsports.com/los-angeles-lakers/a/The-Inside-Story-Of-How-17-Year-Old-Kobe-Bryant-Manipulated-His-Way-Onto-The-Lakers-10-68-3435" target="_blank">Arn Tellem manufactured a path for Kobe Bryant to fall to the Lakers</a>, talking John Calipari and the Nets out of drafting the high school phenom.</p>
<p>Whether or not that level of manipulation happens with Okafor and Towns, who could both be interested in becoming the franchise center for the Lakers, remains to be seen. The possibility is there, though, <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/600832730440605696" target="_blank">as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports indicated on lottery night</a>:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If Karl-Anthony Towns is determined to get to Lakers, it'll be interesting to see how agreeable his camp will be to meeting with Minnesota.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/600832730440605696">May 20, 2015</a>
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<p>There's already signs of smoke and mirrors and the workout process hasn't begun yet. It's hard to imagine either side will play so hard that they don't meet with Minnesota to make their case to be the No. 1 pick of the draft, and ultimately the Timberwolves can do whatever they want when it's time to phone their pick in. Timerwolves president of basketball operations and head coach Flip Saunders has been complimentary of both big men since the draft lottery, saying <a href="http://www.canishoopus.com/2015/5/20/8629533/minnesota-timberwolves-flip-saunders-talks-draft-lottery-no-1-pick-kg-on-kfan-morning-show" target="_blank">Okafor has the best footwork "since Tim Duncan,"</a> while calling Towns the best defensive player in a recent radio interview.</p>
<p>Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is reportedly <a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/20/8632815/la-lakers-draft-rumor-karl-anthony-towns-jahlil-okafor-nba" target="_blank">most interested in drafting either of the big men</a>, making guard D'Angelo Russell<a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/21/8632973/la-lakers-nba-draft-2015-dangel-russell" target="_blank"> a dark horse</a> <a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/21/8632973/la-lakers-nba-draft-2015-dangel-russell" target="_blank">candidate</a> at the No. 2 spot. It's unclear who the Lakers prefer at this point, though the dramatic turn from potentially losing the pick to moving up to the second pick makes this a win-win for the front office.</p>
<p>This whole process is going to start feeling real once we catch glimpses of the incredibly important workouts that are to come for both big men, and both franchises.</p>
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/21/8636387/la-lakers-nba-draft-jahlil-okafor-dukeDrew Garrison2015-05-21T07:51:28-07:002015-05-21T07:51:28-07:00Russell deserves Lakers' consideration at No. 2
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<p>While most reports have the Lakers selecting either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor with their #2 overall pick, D'Angelo Russell could end up being the one to put on the Golden Armor.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a> not only kept their top-five protected pick on NBA Draft lottery night, they were the only team to move up in the draft, jumping from fourth to second overall. Now the question of who the Lakers will pick is resonating throughout Southern California. The players available for the Lakers to select largely depend on what the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> do with the first overall pick.</p>
<p>There have been rumors floating around that the Wolves may select skilled center Jahlil Okafor (and his <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/106644/this-hard-to-believe-photo-shows-you-just-how-big-jahlil-okafors-hands-are" style="background-color: #ffffff;">giant hands</a>) out of Duke. Should that scenario play, the Lakers should unquestionably take Karl-Anthony Towns; the shot-blocking, sweet shooting big man who many have sitting atop their draft boards as the best player available. Towns would be a no-brainer pick for the Lakers, as not only is he the prototype modern-center with rim protecting capabilities and a solid jumper, but he also complements fellow Kentucky alum <span>Julius Randle</span> perfectly.</p>
<p>For now though the Lakers have to assume that the Wolves will come around to the consensus that Towns is the best player in the 2015 draft class, and as such they take him first overall. Without Towns on the board the choice Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss must make likely comes down to Okafor or Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell. While we can't completely dismiss international point guard Emanuel Mudiay he currently appears to be a distant fourth to the trio of Towns/Okafor/Russell.</p>
<p>Most mock drafts currently have the Lakers selecting Okafor with their second pick, and fans have latched on to that notion, plastering photoshopped images of Okafor (and Towns as well) in Lakers uniforms across social media.</p>
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<p>Our current <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/20/8624221/la-lakers-nba-draft-karl-anthony-towns-jahlil-okafor">SS&R poll</a> understandably has Karl-Anthony Towns as the favored pick by a large margin, but after that Jahlil Okafor has more than double the votes of D'Angelo Russell. However, the race between the two is closer than the pro-Okafor sentiment sweeping through Los Angeles would suggest.</p>
<p>D'Angelo Russell is a very real contender for the second overall selection if Towns is off the board. With a strong workout he could find himself donning the Golden Armor instead of the big man from Duke. While the NBA has had the general sentiment that finding bigs takes precedence over guards, that trend may be changing.</p>
<p>The modern NBA has been pushing more and more toward guard-oriented play, with screen and roll actions and ball movement dominating offensive schemes of the top teams. While Lakers coach <span>Byron Scott</span> may not agree, guard play and three-point shooting has become integral to running an efficient offense.</p>
<p>While Jahlil OKafor is a talented player, D'Angelo Russell fits the new breed of NBA basketball perfectly. He shot 41 percent from three in college while dishing out five assists and grabbing 5.7 boards, and his ability to see the floor to find open teammates is a major weapon. Even off the ball he can occupy a defense with his ability to make teams pay for losing track of him with his shooting skills. Versatility is important, and Russell's ability to contribute in a number of ways shouldn't be overlooked.</p>
<p>At 6'5" he's already big for a point guard, and his impressive 6'9.75" wingspan compounds that height advantage and allows him to shoot over defenders easier than most guards. His long arms also help him amass more steals (1.6 per game at Ohio State) and deflections in the passing lanes than those with shorter, <a target="_blank" href="http://imgur.com/gallery/BjNYo">T-Rex-style</a> arms.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"I'm the best in the draft"<span>- D'Angelo Russell</span>
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<p>Good teams get defenses out of position and find open lanes to the basket or kick outs for uncontested threes, and Russell is fantastic at doing just that, especially out of the pick-and-roll. He moves well off the ball to find open space and can get his jumper off quickly if the defense doesn't rotate fast enough, and his tight handle allows him to slide past his defender after even the slightest mistake. If that wasn't enough, his passing can be breathtaking. He finds cutting teammates with pinpoint accuracy, often hitting them with a slick pass before they even realize how open they are.</p>
<p>All of this goes a long way to mitigate concerns about Russell's athletic ability, which has been the biggest knock on him in NBA circles. Teams are rightly concerned about whether or not he has what it takes athletically to become a star, but NBA history is littered with players whose skill level made their perceived athletic faults a non-issue.</p>
<p>Russell also plays the game with the kind of flair that would ignite the Staples Center crowd. No-look passes, killer ball-handling, and deadeye shooting are all part of the package with the lefty assassin. The Lakers could certainly use that kind of showmanship to give their brand a fresh feel. While winning trumps fancy passing and ankle-breakers, Russell is able to incorporate eye-popping plays with efficient basketball, which is an enticing combination for any general manager.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CHoGtXvzaBA" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>What all of this means is that, in today's NBA, D'Angelo Russell may very well be the draft pick with the highest chance of becoming a superstar, which is something the Lakers badly need.</p>
<p>Jahlil Okafor, meanwhile, is also an incredibly talented player. He catches everything near the basket and has post-moves, counter-moves, and counter-counter-moves that frankly haven't been seen from a college player in years. However, he does have a number of question marks that continue to hang over him.</p>
<p>His defense can be lacking in pick-and-rolls, and at times he looks disinterested. Okafor's rebounding is only so-so for a player with his size and strength, and his free-throw shooting is Dwight-Howard-level bad. After watching the hack-a-whoever fest that has plagued the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-playoffs" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">NBA playoffs</a> thus far, general managers have to be at least somewhat concerned about adding a player who is such a liability from the stripe.</p>
<p>None of this is to say that Jahlil Okafor is a bad player, because he isn't. He's phenomenal, and if he can improve on the defensive end of the court this summer he should be an impact player from Day 1 in the NBA. To overlook his flaws though and decree that Jahlil will be a better NBA player than D'Angelo Russell is a dangerous assumption to make..</p>
<p>When drafting talent teams typically get themselves into trouble when they worry about fit over simply taking the best player available, with the classic example being the Blazers passing on Michael Jordan partly because they already had Clyde Drexler on their roster. However, when the talent level is as close as it is between Okafor and Russell, fit does have to come into play.</p>
<p>While the Lakers already have a gem of a combo guard in <span>Jordan Clarkson</span> on the roster, one thing that stood out this past season was just how well Clarkson plays alongside another aggressive, attacking guard. In the rare moments when <span>Jeremy Lin</span> was having a Linsanity flashback, he and Clarkson were flying around the court on the offensive end, driving to the basket, kicking the ball out to open shooters and becoming twin whirlwinds of pick-and-roll precision.</p>
<p>D'Angelo Russell's shooting and passing ability would allow him to be a more effective partner in crime to Clarkson than Lin ever was, and the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a> have shown just how potent a pair of guards can be when they are on the same page. The Warriors may have the Splash Brothers, but a Clarkson/Russell combo could become a lethal Slash and Splash combination.</p>
<p>Furthermore, in terms of roster-building, adding a combo guard to join Clarkson makes life easier on Mitch Kupchak this summer. While the Lakers need help everywhere on the floor, the addition of another guard who can immediately slide into the starting lineup would allow the team to more easily shift <span>Kobe Bryant</span> to small forward, where his own declining athleticism will be less of an issue.</p>
<p>Moving Bryant to small forward would allow the Lakers to shore up their weakest position (<span>Wesley Johnson</span>, 'nuff said) and also one that features very few unrestricted options in free agency. With Kawhi Leonard, <span>Jimmy Butler</span>, <span>Khris Middleton</span>, and <span>Tobias Harris</span> all restricted and likely to be matched by their incumbent teams, the few unrestricted wings like <span>DeMarre Carroll</span> and <span>Danny Green</span> will be in high demand and costly to sign. With Kobe and <span>Nick Young</span> holding down the fort, the Lakers at least won't have to break the bank to sign a non-superstar wing just to fill a roster need.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"We didn't get number one, but number two is OK in this case" <span>- Mitch Kupchak</span>
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<p>While passing on Okafor to go with Russell would leave a hole at center, that happens to be the position with the most unrestricted free agent depth this summer. <span>Marc Gasol</span>, <span>Greg Monroe</span>, <span>Brook Lopez</span>, and <span>DeAndre Jordan</span> are just a few of the names that will be available for the Lakers to target. While there is no guarantee that Mitch Kupchak will be able to land one of these talents, if the team gets word prior to the draft that one of them would at least be interested in signing up with the purple and gold, it could push the needle towards taking D'Angelo Russell.</p>
<p>Also noteworthy: if the Lakers do indeed draft Russell, it would likely kill the possibility of signing volatile point guard <span>Rajon Rondo</span>, which would be a Matrix-style dodged bullet.</p>
<p>Regardless of whether the Lakers draft Jahlil Okafor or D'Angelo Russell, fans can feel confident that they will be getting a fantastic young player with tons of potential. In the end the decision will likely come down to in-person interviews and workouts, and Mitch Kupchak and the front office have earned some measure of trust when it comes to identifying talent in the draft. They will make the best decision possible for the future of the Lakers, and fans need to keep in mind that it might not be as cut-and-dry as simply taking whichever big man Minnesota passes on.</p>
<p>One final thought on why D'Angelo Russell could very well end up being the pick and not Okafor: the 2014-2015 NBA MVP race came down to <span>James Harden</span> and <span>Stephen Curry</span>, and it's nearly impossible to watch Russell play without getting the impression that he is a mash-up of both players. While hitting that level of play is certainly the absolute best-case scenario for Russell's transition to the NBA, it isn't completely out of the question either. Who wouldn't want to watch a young, talented, and thankfully beard-less Harden-Curry tearing up and down the Staples Center for the next 10 years?</p>
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/21/8632973/la-lakers-nba-draft-2015-dangel-russellTrevor Lane2015-05-20T19:09:16-07:002015-05-20T19:09:16-07:00Lakers 'want to go big' with No. 2 pick
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<figcaption>Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Lakers are focused on addressing their huge roster need at center on draft night. </p> <p>The Los Angeles Lakers will have to wait until the Minnesota Timberwolves make their selection at No. 1 to know what their final decision on draft night will come down to, but the front office has a good idea about what direction they're headed. The Lakers "want to go big" on draft night, meaning they'll most likely draft whoever is available between Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-draft-pick-20150521-story.html?track=rss">according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times</a>.</p>
<p>The Lakers have been searching for a franchise player at center since they moved on from the Andrew Bynum/Pau Gasol led frontcourt, and they'll have a chance at either of the top prospects available on draft night. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/20/8631351/la-lakers-rumor-2015-nba-draft-no-2-pick-free-agency">Los Angeles interviewed Ohio State point guard D'Angelo Russell at the NBA Draft combine</a>, but reports indicate he's playing from behind with the Lakers looking elsewhere.</p>
<p>This also lines up with the majority of mock drafts analysts have released since the draft order was finalized. Mitch Kupchak and the scouting department have a month to prepare for the draft, meaning there's no reason for the team to not explore every option -- including giving Russell an opportunity to prove he's "their" guy at No. 2. The chances of that, however, sounds unlikely, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-draft-pick-20150521-story.html?track=rss" style="background-color: #ffffff;">as Bresnahan elaborates</a> on the current thought in LA:</p>
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<p>The Lakers will look at dynamic Ohio State point guard D'Angelo Russell but preliminary indications are they want to go big, The Times has learned. In fact, General Manager Mitch Kupchak is fond of saying that a good big man is often more valuable than a good little man.</p>
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<p>If it's as simple as not getting cute and drafting either of the top two big men in the NBA, the No. 2 pick will be the least of the Lakers' concerns. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/17/8616877/la-lakers-draft-nba-houston-rockets-first-round">Finding the best way to utilize picks No. 27 and 34 might be the most difficult task at hand for Kupchak</a>, though his track record of finding talent deep in the draft has been impressive.</p>
<p>It's not surprising the Lakers prefer addressing the gaping hole in their frontcourt, but any insight into what they're thinking leading up to this key moment in the rebuild is welcome.</p>
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/20/8632815/la-lakers-draft-rumor-karl-anthony-towns-jahlil-okafor-nbaDrew Garrison2015-05-20T12:23:50-07:002015-05-20T12:23:50-07:00Pick helps LA's free agency pitch in a 'big way'
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The No. 2 pick could be the key to a big summer for the Lakers.</p> <p>The ripple effect of the Los Angeles Lakers<a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/19/8628111/la-lakers-nba-draft-lottery-winners-2015"> landing the No. 2 pick</a> might already be in effect. Mitch Kupchak and the front office will have a new bag of tricks to work with this summer, boasting a core featuring the second overall pick, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson along financial flexibility. The new foundation being constructed in Los Angeles helps the Lakers' pitch to free agents "in a big, big way," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2015-05-20/lakers-draft-pick-lottery-free-agency-impact-kobe-bryant-julius-randle-mitch-kupchak?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" style="background-color: #ffffff;">an agent told Sean Deveney of Sporting News</a>.</p>
<p>The Lakers swung for the fences last summer, but <span>L</span>eBron James returned home to Cleveland while Carmelo Anthony decided to stick around New York. Randle was -- and still widely is -- an unknown commodity, the roster was still recovering, and the Lakers pitch wasn't heard out by any of the top available players.</p>
<p>The Lakers are expected to be in play for talent this summer, though their strategy may depend on whether they take the available big man between Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns, or if D'Angelo Russell is part of the picture. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/14/8608541/dangelo-russell-la-lakers-meeting-nba-draft-combine-2015">The Lakers already held an interview with Russell</a> at the NBA Draft combine in Chicago, and he is expected to be selective with the teams he works out for leading up to the draft. Kupchak and the basketball operations team will surely take their time through this process to make the most out of this key moment for the franchise, which means preparing for that kind of one-two punch scenario.</p>
<p>The best available talent this summer is in the unrestricted free agent frontcourt pool, which features Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge. The Lakers are rumored to be <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/19/8625967/la-lakers-rumor-marc-gasol-free-agent-contract">one of several teams preparing a pitch for Gasol</a>. Russell -- <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/14/8596959/nba-draft-board-la-lakers-karl-anthony-towns">who tied with Okafor at No. 2 on our big board</a> -- could be a serious option if signs point to the Lakers having a chance at an established center this summer. There's a much better chance now because of their lottery luck, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2015-05-20/lakers-draft-pick-lottery-free-agency-impact-kobe-bryant-julius-randle-mitch-kupchak?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">according to Deveney's sources</a>:</p>
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<p>"I think it is something that helps out their sales pitch in a big, big way," one agent told Sporting News. "The past couple of years, their pitch has sort of been, ‘Come play for us because we're the Lakers and the weather is nice.'That's not enough. You've seen that. They have not had a direction, and that's why players don't want to go there."</p>
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<p>Russell certainly seems like a longshot, though, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/19/8628229/la-lakers-nba-mock-draft-jahlil-okafor-second-2015">with the first mock drafts since the lottery all projecting</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/19/8628229/la-lakers-nba-mock-draft-jahlil-okafor-second-2015" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Okafor to the Lakers at No. 2</a>. Taking the best big man available could be the safest and best route for Los Angeles.</p>
<p>The Lakers should be in great position to stabilize the roster while re-establishing itself as a destination franchise. They're in line to draft an elite talent, and have yet to see Randle begin his journey. Free agency begins on July 1, but expect to hear little leaks and reports linking Los Angeles to talent leading up to it.</p>
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/20/8631351/la-lakers-rumor-2015-nba-draft-no-2-pick-free-agencyDrew Garrison2015-05-20T09:56:49-07:002015-05-20T09:56:49-07:00Wolves prefer Okafor over Towns, per report
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<p>The Timberwolves might have their eyes on the refined game of Jahlil Okafor.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a>' decision at No. 2 in the 2015 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NBA Draft</a> largely depends on what the Minnnesota Timberwolves do to kick things off on June 25, but early reports indicate Minnesota president of basketball operations and head coach Flip Saunders prefers Jahlil Okafor over Karl-Anthony Towns, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/19/8628229/la-lakers-nba-mock-draft-jahlil-okafor-second-2015">according to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report</a>.</p>
<p>Okafor's scoring ability can make him a 20-points-per-game threat in the low-post. He could be a heavy-hitting big man down low who can create for himself and others, which is why he was considered the top prospect for the majority of the college season. There's over a month until the NBA Draft, which means plenty of reports projecting Minnesota's decision with the first pick are still to come.</p>
<p>The Lakers can pick whichever big man is still available at No. 2, and there's still an outside shot of D'Angelo Russell impressing through the pre-draft workout process as well. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/19/8628229/la-lakers-nba-mock-draft-jahlil-okafor-second-2015">Most post-lottery mock drafts currently project Okafor to the Lakers at No. 2</a>, who could connect with Julius Randle to build the frontcourt of the future for Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Mitch Kupchak and the basketball operations team will surely exhaust all of their resources preparing for a huge decision with the second-overall pick, but there's nothing they can do but wait for Minnesota to phone their selection in.</p>
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/20/8630347/la-lakers-rumors-jahlil-okafor-minnesota-timberwolves-firstDrew Garrison2015-05-20T09:05:13-07:002015-05-20T09:05:13-07:00Who should the Lakers draft at No. 2?
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<figcaption>Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Our writers panel discusses the Lakers keeping their first round pick, and who they think the team should select.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> fans can finally exhale. Los Angeles has been holding its collective breath all season, and the NBA Draft lottery graced the purple and gold with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. The Lakers will pick behind the Minnesota Timberwolves, likely leaving them with one of Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor, along with lottery talent like D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay.</p>
<p>Who do we want the Lakers to take? Our staff is ready to discuss what comes next:</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/TheGreatMambino" target="_blank"><b>The Great Mambino</b></a></p>
<p>The cop-out answer here is "whoever the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> don't take", of course in reference to Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor. But answering the question a bit more directly, the Lakers should take Jahlil Okafor with the second overall pick. While it seems that Towns has the upside, from all scouting reports, the Duke big man may have a lower ceiling but is ultimately the more "sure" thing. While it's important in the long run for any NBA team to get the more productive player, for the Lakers at this junction, it's probably more important for them to take the safest bet possible. LA is too demanding of a market and the team's season ticket holders have too strong of a voice for the organization to miss on this pick. Given the incredibly unlikely choice that Towns and Okafor are available at number 2, <b>Okafor should be the choice.</b></p>
<p><b><a href="https://twitter.com/DrewGarrisonSBN" target="_blank">Drew Garrison</a></b></p>
<p>It feels shameful to split hairs between Towns and Okafor after being blessed with the No. 2 pick, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm pulling for the Timberwolves to take Jahlil. Towns feels like a better fit because of defensive reasons, but if the Lakers end up with Okafor that's still a wonderful talent to bring into the fold. No matter what, the ping pong balls awarding the Lakers the second spot means they've already won by virtue of getting a chance at an elite player this summer. <b>I'll hope for Karl-Anthony</b> but I'd be pretty much just as ecstatic with Okafor joining the purple and gold on June 25.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/Dakota_Schmidt" target="_blank"><b>Dakota Schmidt</b></a></p>
<p>I would select either D'Angelo Russell or one of the Towns/Okafor duo that the Timberwolves pass on. If you would hold a gun to my head, <b>I'd actually lean towards selecting Russell</b>. I'm a huge fan of his potential as a combo guard, as he's an excellent facilitator and has developed a sweet perimeter jumper. He's a dominant pick-and-roll facilitator which could make his pairing with Randle into one of the more exciting combos in recent Lakers memory.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/16ringsNBA" target="_blank"><b>Trevor Lane</b></a></p>
<p>First of all, what a huge relief for Lakers fans. Los Angeles was on pins and needles waiting for word on whether or not the Lakers would keep their pick, and fortunately the basketball gods smiled on the purple and gold. As for what they should do with the pick, if Minnesota indeed takes Jahlil Okafor as rumored then <b>the Lakers should say thank you and happily take Karl-Anthony Towns</b>. Not only is he a phenomenal defensive player, he also has impressive range for a big man and would be an absolutely perfect fit alongside Julius Randle. If the Wolves take Towns then things get a little dicey, and in my mind the decision would be between Okafor and D'Angelo Russell. While Okafor is a fantastic talent I think Russell's combination of size, shooting, and playmaking give him the best chance of becoming a superstar, and as such the Lakers should go with him.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/brosales12" target="_blank"><b>Ben Rosales</b></a></p>
<p>It really depends on what Minnesota does. If it's really the case that Flip Saunders prefers Jahlil Okafor over Karl-Anthony Towns, then the choice is fairly clear: <b>Take Towns</b>. There's no one in the draft that better complements Randle and it would form a frontcourt tandem that might hold down the fort in LA for the next decade. If not and Saunders takes Towns, then the choice is between Okafor and D'Angelo Russell, which is a harder decision that might appear on the surface. Both are exemplary offensive talents but the position Okafor plays might be the edge there. On the whole, however, the Lakers will add a hellacious talent and we should all be quite pleased with whomever ends up donning the purple and gold on draft night.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/TJFsports" target="_blank"><b>Tom Fehr</b></a></p>
<p><b>I want the Lakers to draft Karl-Anthony Towns</b>. With reports that Minnesota seems to prefer Okafor, I'm holding out hope for that, which would be a dream realized for the Lakers. If not, I'm torn between Russell and Okafor. Part of me says that it's too hard to build a good defensive team with Okafor as your anchor inside and part of me says screw it because he's that damn good offensively.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/sabreenajm"><b>Sabreena Merchant</b></a></p>
<p>What a rush it was to watch the draft lottery. My Laker fan friends and I were strutting around afterwards like we were the ones in the conference finals. As I sit here in my 2015 Duke national championship shirt, <b>I would love nothing more than for the Lakers to select Jahlil Okafor with the No. 2 pick</b>. His offensive game is as polished as any college player I've seen in years, and his frame suggests he could be a decent defensive player with a little bit of seasoning. Any player with his size and talent is just too good to pass up on. No matter who Minnesota takes with the first pick, the Lakers will have a killer player available in Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns. Okafor just seems a little more ready to contribute right away.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hmfaigen" target="_blank"><b>Harrison Faigen</b></a></p>
<p>The Lakers should keep it simple and take whichever of the Towns/Okafor combination falls to them. I am as big of a fan of Russell as anyone, and Okafor indeed has potential fit issues with Randle, but <b>both of the bigs are too talented to pass up</b>. If Okafor/Randle ends up being redundant offensively or irredeemably bad on defense, then you can look to move on from one of them down the line. For what it's worth, I think Okafor's defense can improve when he is not demanded to carry an entire team's offense in the pros. Towns is such a perfect fit next to Randle it almost seems to be too good to be true. Whoever the Lakers end up with, Mitch Kupchak and company deserve to <a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/19/8628489/la-lakers-nba-draft-2015-mitch-kupchak-celebrate?_ga=1.134097098.512623282.1411884762" target="_blank">pop bottles</a> and celebrate. The Lakers future is looking bright already.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AlienNoseJob"><b>Jameson Miller</b></a></p>
<p>Maybe I'm alone here, but once the fourth pick was announced and the Lakers were locked in to the top three, I got greedy. Maybe I was drunk on relief and the tears of Knicks fans, maybe it was a sense of entitlement or Lakers exceptionalism, but I was practically shouting in the face of the very Basketball Gods who had just been so kind to the Lakers, "That's right, give us the No. 1 overall pick, we DESERVE it!"</p>
<p>Needless to say I'm still overjoyed with the No. 2 pick, but now, instead of a Simba-esque, "everything the light touches can be drafted by you" scenario, there is now the factor of Minnesota's choice to weigh here. I hope Flip takes Okafor, because <b>I want Towns. Bad. </b>The way the league is going, a rim-protecting, sweet shooting big man to pair next to their bullish, offensive-minded power forward seems like a dream scenario.</p>
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/20/8624221/la-lakers-nba-draft-karl-anthony-towns-jahlil-okaforHarrison FaigenTheGreatMambinoTrevor LaneSabreena MerchantTom FehrBen RosalesDakota SchmidtDrew GarrisonJameson Miller2015-05-20T07:54:07-07:002015-05-20T07:54:07-07:00Scott's reaction to moving into top-3 is glorious
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<p>The wink heard round the world.</p> <p>It's been a rush of joy for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> and their fan base since the team moved up to the second-overall pick in the 2015 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a>. Lost in the mix of excitement and relief was arguably the greatest thing <span>Byron Scott</span> has done since becoming the Lakers head coach. He ripped a troll wink for the ages when it was revealed the Lakers had jumped into the top-three of the lottery:</p>
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<p>This is the NBA Draft lottery equivalent of the Michael Jordan shrug. It's perfection. It's Lakers, baby.</p>
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/5/20/8629833/lakers-nba-draft-lottery-2015-byron-scott-reactionDrew Garrison