2017 Lakers Draft Pick Discussion

[LakersSoul]

Lakers have the Houston pick (28th) right now. This is the only sure thing. Lakers fans will be following the ping-pong balls this summer with a prayer but we are not sure if we will be keeping our 1st rounder (top 3) or keep our 2nd rounder (most likely 34-36th).

Scenario #1:

Top 3 pick
Houston pick

Scenario #2:

Houston pick
32 or 33rd pick (2nd round pick if we fall outside of top 3)


If we get the top pick, I think the FO will go after Fultz with an outside shot at Jackson/Ball. We could also trade down the pick and give us more options for Ryan West and the draft team. There are many top talent but I want to use this thread to discuss who we might want to get for the Houston pick (28th) and since 28 to 33 range could be similar players, what our 2nd rounder (32-33rd) pick could be if we lose out in the top 3 pick.

There are some possibilities of higher players falling down during draft night (please Allen!!) but if we pick two of the top 20 to 40 range best-player-available, the following could be the most likely list:

Potential players between 28 to 33 range:
1. TJ Leaf
2. Ivan Rabb
3. Ojeleye
4. Swanigan
5. Bam Adebayo
6. Motley
7. Thomas Bryant
8. Cam Oliver

This is not a bad list of players to add 2 to the team. We could go after the shooter in Leaf but his defense is so suspect that we might want to go after a more athletic PF like Swanigan and Motley who can protect the rim and also knock down the mid range shot. I also like what Oliver can bring to the table. I know we want that top 3 pick but in the worst case scenario, we will have some good players to pick in the 28 to 36 range for sure this year.

Who would you guys pick if you had to pick 2 out of the above or others not mentioned?

Edit: Changed the second round pick range, 32-33rd now.

[TyCobb]

A lot of the players become who they are in the NBA because of how good the fit was right away for them to find a role and receive continuous, on court, development. We don't need undersized, big body, long-armed players for big men. Good bye Nigel Hayes, Cameron Oliver, Jonathan Motley, Caleb Swanigan, Semi Ojeleye. We also don't need big dummies that can't rebound--goodbye Thomas Bryant. Bam is barely outside of that description...

TJ Leaf and Rabb are the only NBA players of the group. Leaf is the offensive player with a high BBIQ, Rabb cleans up on the glass for a specialty. Well I don't want either of them.

PG Top 3 Pick
SG Russell/Clarkson
SF Ingram
PF Randle/Nance
C Zubac/Black

You need to draft a big that can shoot or a 3 and D player. Leaf can shoot, but he is too soft elsewhere. Straight up, if there is no Jarrett Allen available, then you trade the pick or go Euro because there are no quality NCAA guys this low in the draft. I don't see the depth this year from NCAA, pretty dry year.

I know nothing about the Euros, but you need to pick the best of the bunch available at that pick because the NCAA is trash past the top 13 or so guys coming out.

[Trips71]

The only Allen that will be available at the Houston pick will unfortunately be Greyson, not Jarrett.

[AcecardZ]

With Greyson our kicking game would be set...

[VIPER8382]

One correction is that the lottery doesn't change 2nd round picks, so I think we would be looking at #32 (if we finish next to last) or #33 (if Phoenix sneaks "ahead" of us with a worse record) in the 2nd if we lose the first round pick.

[LakersSoul]

One correction is that the lottery doesn't change 2nd round picks, so I think we would be looking at #32 (if we finish next to last) or #33 (if Phoenix sneaks "ahead" of us with a worse record) in the 2nd if we lose the first round pick.

Thanks Viper. Changed the above to reflect that.

[LakersSoul]

A lot of the players become who they are in the NBA because of how good the fit was right away for them to find a role and receive continuous, on court, development. We don't need undersized, big body, long-armed players for big men. Good bye Nigel Hayes, Cameron Oliver, Jonathan Motley, Caleb Swanigan, Semi Ojeleye. We also don't need big dummies that can't rebound--goodbye Thomas Bryant. Bam is barely outside of that description...

TJ Leaf and Rabb are the only NBA players of the group. Leaf is the offensive player with a high BBIQ, Rabb cleans up on the glass for a specialty. Well I don't want either of them.

PG Top 3 Pick
SG Russell/Clarkson
SF Ingram
PF Randle/Nance
C Zubac/Black

You need to draft a big that can shoot or a 3 and D player. Leaf can shoot, but he is too soft elsewhere. Straight up, if there is no Jarrett Allen available, then you trade the pick or go Euro because there are no quality NCAA guys this low in the draft. I don't see the depth this year from NCAA, pretty dry year.

I know nothing about the Euros, but you need to pick the best of the bunch available at that pick because the NCAA is trash past the top 13 or so guys coming out.

Randle is 6'9" with shoes. Wingspan 7'0"
Swanigan is listed as 6'9". Wingspan 7'3.5"
Motley is listed as 6'9". Wingspan 7'3.5"

BTW, Harry Giles just declared for the NBA after a disappointing and early injury season with Duke. 6'11" wingspan 7'3".

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2700475-dukes-harry-giles-declares-for-2017-nba-draft-after-freshman-season

Giles was the #2 recruit in his class but struggled with injuries and playing time. Giles doesnt turn 19 until next month and has huge upside potential but with a big question mark on health.

[Trips71]

I personally like Caleb Swanigan late in the first round. He is a great rebounder, has a huge wingspan, and has worked hard to develop his game after a failed attempt at coming out last year. The effort to improve this year is a good sign of what his work ethic would be.

[Trips71]

With Greyson our kicking game would be set...

He would fit the Draymond role for us.

[Spens1]

Rabb would be nice actually if he falls. He looks like a solid player

[TylersLakers]

Why would we not keep our second round pick?

[LakersSoul]

Why would we not keep our second round pick?

If we keep our first rounder this year, then Orlando gets out second rounder in 2017 and 2018. 76er get our 2018 first rounder without exception.

If we lose our first rounder to 76ers this year, then Orlando gets our first rounder in 2019 and we keep all our second rounders.

[TKainZero]

I don't see the need to draft a pf or a center with the Houston pick

Lakers need an athletic wing
Someone who can guard 1-3

[LakersSoul]

True but this year's draft is loaded at the PG and PF position. The 20-35 range is loaded with PFs. I would get the BPA and that most likely will be a PF. This is good as we get insurance on Randle just in case we trade him down the road.

[Princeinrevolt]

True but this year's draft is loaded at the PG and PF position. The 20-35 range is loaded with PFs. I would get the BPA and that most likely will be a PF. This is good as we get insurance on Randle just in case we trade him down the road.

We have Deng at Pf, at this point I want Deng to start at Pf next season, he would be an upgrade.

[dAdo dA dEvil]

True but this year's draft is loaded at the PG and PF position. The 20-35 range is loaded with PFs. I would get the BPA and that most likely will be a PF. This is good as we get insurance on Randle just in case we trade him down the road.

We have Deng at Pf, at this point I want Deng to start at Pf next season, he would be an upgrade.

I'm in for this. Let Deng play the PF. It's clear this season that he is not a SF anymore. Try this. If Deng performs well then at least somehow he becomes valuable. It will be easier to trade him or at least it's easier to swallow his contract.

[LakersSoul]

No more talk of Deng please!!


As for the draft pick, one intriguing pick is Harry Giles. Do you take a high risk, high reward shot with Harry Giles. 6'11" with a 7'3" wingspan. He is explosive and aggressive as they come. Giles was #2 ranked recruit in college from 2016 but he is suffering from a slew of injuries.

- ACL, MCL, Meniscus in left knee 2013
- partial tear in right ACL in 2015

He also struggled to get playing time at Duke behind Tatum after the surgery. That said, he has so much upside potential and athleticism. Without the injuries, I think he goes top 3. Do you risk a late first rounder or wait until someone picks him in the 2nd round then trade for him?

Watch on YouTube

With a deep draft and multiple useful players into the 2nd round, I dont know if teams will take a risky shot with Giles. It will all depend on the individual workouts from the teams.

[TKainZero]

True but this year's draft is loaded at the PG and PF position. The 20-35 range is loaded with PFs. I would get the BPA and that most likely will be a PF. This is good as we get insurance on Randle just in case we trade him down the road.

We have Deng at Pf, at this point I want Deng to start at Pf next season, he would be an upgrade.

I'm in for this. Let Deng play the PF. It's clear this season that he is not a SF anymore. Try this. If Deng performs well then at least somehow he becomes valuable. It will be easier to trade him or at least it's easier to swallow his contract.

Between Randle, nance, deng, Ingram, and t-rob, there just isn't a need at pf. Zubac, and mozgov have the center spot locked down, with Randle/nance/t rob playing spot mins

Find an athletic wing. 6'5-6'8 sg/sf who can switch everything. Lakers have lots of scoring. Need a wing similar to nance where they can be hyper effective without a high usage rate.


Movgov/deng are gonna be around a couple more years. Lakers have enough developing youth at pf/c (Randle, nance, zubac, t rob, black) that's 5 dudes that we are developing, to cover 2 spots. Where as we have Russell, Ingram, Clarkson at the 1-3. Nwaba is a nice surprise, But getting him a 2nd helpful wing would be nice


Lakers need that hyper-athletic defensive wing, a power forward basically should not even be considered (pf position Is changing, and there are more quality pf available than ever before)

[DNP-Old]

No more talk of Deng please!!


As for the draft pick, one intriguing pick is Harry Giles. Do you take a high risk, high reward shot with Harry Giles. 6'11" with a 7'3" wingspan. He is explosive and aggressive as they come. Giles was #2 ranked recruit in college from 2016 but he is suffering from a slew of injuries.

- ACL, MCL, Meniscus in left knee 2013
- partial tear in right ACL in 2015

He also struggled to get playing time at Duke behind Tatum after the surgery. That said, he has so much upside potential and athleticism. Without the injuries, I think he goes top 3. Do you risk a late first rounder or wait until someone picks him in the 2nd round then trade for him?

Watch on YouTube

With a deep draft and multiple useful players into the 2nd round, I dont know if teams will take a risky shot with Giles. It will all depend on the individual workouts from the teams.

Unless he checks out poorly in physicals and if he is still around late in the 1st, one of the Nets, Blazers or Jazz will likely take him with one of their multiple picks.

[DNP-Old]

I'm in agreement with the above posters that want athletic wings in this draft.

With the 1st I would take Jackson/Ball/Isaac (in that order as of now).

With the WAS 1st I would hope for Ferguson/Justin Jackson/Bacon (in no particular order at this time).

With the 2nd (if LAL misses out on their 1st) I would target one of Hart/Brooks/Thornwell/Trier/Iwundo/Blossomgame (again, in no particular order at this time).