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Let me preface this by saying before I created this post, I threw salt over my shoulder, knocked on wood, and spat three times to take care of any possible jinx or bad juju from creating this thread.

Now that that's taken care of... Assuming the lotto gods help us out and we keep our pick who do you guys want to draft?

I've been high on this draft class for quite some time now as this draft class is extremely deep. To me though, the top two of this draft isn't Fultz or Ball it's Dennis Smith Jr and Josh Jackson. If we luck out and get the number one pick, Lakers should take either DSJ or JJ. DSJ is an absolute stud. He's the best PG in college. He can get to the rim at will and has freakish athleticism. He's a mix between Steven Franchise and Damian Lillard.

Josh Jackson is almost a carbon copy of Wiggins. His athleticism is off the charts and his shot (especially from 3) is drastically improving. His defense is great too. JJ at the 2 and BI at the 3 could be our starting wings for the next 15 years.

Lonzo Ball is a good player but the last thing we need is another player that has great vision/passing instincts but puts up 14 pts a game. We already have Dlo and BI to do that. We need a legit number 1 scoring option.

To me, Fultz is like a better version of Dlo. He's what Dlo would be if he had normal athleticism. I dont think Fultz' game will translate well in the NBA. He's essentially an undersized 2. If we draft Fultz then we for sure have to trade Dlo. They are just too similar.

Who do you guys think we should draft if we get the first pick ?

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As much as I love Josh Jackson, he is a bad FT shooter, and we already have Ingram who is another bad FT shooter. Plus he seems like a head case, already getting into trouble with dumb stuff. Ball is just what we need, a pure PG. Dloading can make fancy pass but he is not a pure point, I think we should slide him to 2 and let Ball be the PG.

1. Fultz - and its not even close. Best prospect, best fit (yup - he and DLO could be deadly combo) Who cares that he and DLO are similar? Its positive, cause both could play with ball offball.
2. Tatum - 2nd BPA. Two-way player with elite midrange.

3 - i didnt decide yet but i like idea trade down this pick.

It's pretty simple for me. The three guards are the best players to me.

At 1, Fultz
At 2, Ball
At 3, DSJ

There should be a poll OP.

1. Ball (best college player and NBA prospect imo)
2. Fultz (great prospect)
3. Dennis Smith Jr./Tatum

1. Lonzo Ball
2. Markelle Fultz
3. Jonathan Isaac
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Josh Jackson
6. Dennis Smith Jr.
7. Lauri Markkanen
8. Malik Monk

1. Fultz
2. Tatum
3. Ball
4. Jackson
5. Monk
28. (Mikal) Bridge

Was listening to Trudell's show today and he mentioned how he was originally confused by Ingram's poor 3P% and a scout told him don't-- look at college FT% instead.

That 3's are usually too small a sample size in college and shooters can shoot FTs.

Oddly enough Fultz and Ball both shoot 67% from FT and 41-42% from 3.

For context: Ingram shot 68% and 41%.

Josh Jackson is 55.9% and 37.8%
Monk 84.1% and 40.9%
Smith Jr. 71% 35.9%

We really need a guy who will be able to space the floor at the next level.

Figure I'd share.

crazyeights wrote:Was listening to Trudell's show today and he mentioned how he was originally confused by Ingram's poor 3P% and a scout told him don't-- look at college FT% instead.

That 3's are usually too small a sample size in college and shooters can shoot FTs.

Oddly enough Fultz and Ball both shoot 67% from FT and 41-42% from 3.

For context: Ingram shot 68% and 41%.

Josh Jackson is 55.9% and 37.8%
Monk 84.1% and 40.9%
Smith Jr. 71% 35.9%

We really need a guy who will be able to space the floor at the next level.

Figure I'd share.

Tatum 87% FT.

I like Fultz. I don't think anyone is a perfect pick though. Not completely sold on Jackson or Ball.

Maybe D'Lo and Fultz can play together, but I'm thinking if we do land the pick there's a strong chance of either the pick, or some of the young core getting traded.

Lonzo Ball is the guy we need. Fultz has a higher ceiling, but Ball is exactly the type of player we need.

I'm bias being a KU grad but I love cbb and Jackson is by far and away the best prospect. His ft shooting is suspect (bad) but his defense, rebounding, basketball iq and court vision is off the charts. Add in possibly the most athletic player and somebody will be kicking themselves if they pass on him. Truly a trip/double threat every game

crazyeights wrote:Was listening to Trudell's show today and he mentioned how he was originally confused by Ingram's poor 3P% and a scout told him don't-- look at college FT% instead.

That 3's are usually too small a sample size in college and shooters can shoot FTs.

Oddly enough Fultz and Ball both shoot 67% from FT and 41-42% from 3.

For context: Ingram shot 68% and 41%.

Josh Jackson is 55.9% and 37.8%
Monk 84.1% and 40.9%
Smith Jr. 71% 35.9%

We really need a guy who will be able to space the floor at the next level.

Figure I'd share.

i listened to the same thing.

No way nba would allow u not to get this pick. That would hurt francize a lot. Good luck draft good:)

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This is one of the years in which I really don't give a **** which player we will get, assuming we have a choice.

Last year it was clearly Ingram for me, 2 years ago it was clearly Russell.

I'm perfectly content with either Fultz or Ball this year, I'm torn between the two at the moment, but will absolutely be stoked with either one wearing the purple and gold, and will support the pick 100%.

This is assuming we luck out and get the #1 pick, and get the option to choose. If we stay at #2, it's clear we have to take the guy still on the board between the two.

ROballer wrote:This is one of the years in which I really don't give a **** which player we will get, assuming we have a choice.

Last year it was clearly Ingram for me, 2 years ago it was clearly Russell.

I'm perfectly content with either Fultz or Ball this year, I'm torn between the two at the moment, but will absolutely be stoked with either one wearing the purple and gold, and will support the pick 100%.

This is assuming we luck out and get the #1 pick, and get the option to choose. If we stay at #2, it's clear we have to take the guy still on the board between the two.

I dont know...

There are so many teams that know this is a strong draft with Fultz, Ball, Jackson leading the way. If we get the top 3 pick, I would like West Jr and the recruit team to invite everyone in for a tryout and make a strong decision on deciding who to pick and seriously consider trading that pick as well.

I know its a given to pick those top 3 guys and we can use them but there are so many enticing picks later on too. How about using that draft pick to trade down and pick up guys like Dennis Smith Jr and Jarrett Allen plus a pick in 2018 or a few second rounders.

Our picks have been so good recently that I want to give them as many options as possible. The skyrocketing salary also warrants more draft picks then add a top notch star where possible for that max compensation.

LakersSoul wrote:

ROballer wrote:This is one of the years in which I really don't give a **** which player we will get, assuming we have a choice.

Last year it was clearly Ingram for me, 2 years ago it was clearly Russell.

I'm perfectly content with either Fultz or Ball this year, I'm torn between the two at the moment, but will absolutely be stoked with either one wearing the purple and gold, and will support the pick 100%.

This is assuming we luck out and get the #1 pick, and get the option to choose. If we stay at #2, it's clear we have to take the guy still on the board between the two.

I dont know...

There are so many teams that know this is a strong draft with Fultz, Ball, Jackson leading the way. If we get the top 3 pick, I would like West Jr and the recruit team to invite everyone in for a tryout and make a strong decision on deciding who to pick and seriously consider trading that pick as well.

I know its a given to pick those top 3 guys and we can use them but there are so many enticing picks later on too. How about using that draft pick to trade down and pick up guys like Dennis Smith Jr and Jarrett Allen plus a pick in 2018 or a few second rounders.

Our picks have been so good recently that I want to give them as many options as possible. The skyrocketing salary also warrants more draft picks then add a top notch star where possible for that max compensation.

Why would you even mention Jerry West, when he is with the warriors. Just doesn't make sense.

A potential pick but not top 3...

One guy that I like and want to bring into summer league is pg from Kansas, Frank Mason. He is a tough defender and is killing it from 3 land this year, high 40% range. He is a bit small at 5'11 for the NBA but has the potential to be a solid player for any NBA team.

21 points
5.1 assists
4.1 rebounds

He is 5'11 senior and will be 23 by the draft time so many teams will pass on him but there is a lot to like about Mason.

Princeinrevolt wrote:

LakersSoul wrote:

ROballer wrote:This is one of the years in which I really don't give a **** which player we will get, assuming we have a choice.

Last year it was clearly Ingram for me, 2 years ago it was clearly Russell.

I'm perfectly content with either Fultz or Ball this year, I'm torn between the two at the moment, but will absolutely be stoked with either one wearing the purple and gold, and will support the pick 100%.

This is assuming we luck out and get the #1 pick, and get the option to choose. If we stay at #2, it's clear we have to take the guy still on the board between the two.

I dont know...

There are so many teams that know this is a strong draft with Fultz, Ball, Jackson leading the way. If we get the top 3 pick, I would like West Jr and the recruit team to invite everyone in for a tryout and make a strong decision on deciding who to pick and seriously consider trading that pick as well.

I know its a given to pick those top 3 guys and we can use them but there are so many enticing picks later on too. How about using that draft pick to trade down and pick up guys like Dennis Smith Jr and Jarrett Allen plus a pick in 2018 or a few second rounders.

Our picks have been so good recently that I want to give them as many options as possible. The skyrocketing salary also warrants more draft picks then add a top notch star where possible for that max compensation.

Why would you even mention Jerry West, when he is with the warriors. Just doesn't make sense.

Think he's referring to Ryan West, not sure why he wrote West Jr.

iamworthy wrote:

crazyeights wrote:Was listening to Trudell's show today and he mentioned how he was originally confused by Ingram's poor 3P% and a scout told him don't-- look at college FT% instead.

That 3's are usually too small a sample size in college and shooters can shoot FTs.

Oddly enough Fultz and Ball both shoot 67% from FT and 41-42% from 3.

For context: Ingram shot 68% and 41%.

Josh Jackson is 55.9% and 37.8%
Monk 84.1% and 40.9%
Smith Jr. 71% 35.9%

We really need a guy who will be able to space the floor at the next level.

Figure I'd share.

i listened to the same thing.

I remember reading this in an ESPN article too. If I recall the numbers correctly, the correlation between college FT% and NBA 3 pt % is 0.44 and the correlation between college 3 pt % and NBA 3 pt % is 0.41. So the FT% correlation is slighter higher but there's really not a considerable statistical difference.

The scout is dabbling a bit in pseudo science if he really thinks one is a better predictor than the other. Infact a basketball reference search for players with > 40% from 3 and < 70% from free throw line with atleast 2 3s attempted throws up 50 results with Mike Miller, Richard Jefferson and James Jones being prominent shooters who had poor FT%.

http://bkref.com/tiny/0v4Jl

Coming back to Ingram,he actually shot more 3s (195) than free throws (170) in college so the sample size argument doesn't hold up either. If anything his free throw percentage is being less predictable due to a smaller sample size.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/brandon-ingram-1.html