2022-23 NBA Draft: Lakers Edition

[LAL1947]

Hi all! Please use this thread to discuss any topics related to the 2022-23 NBA Draft... such as things the Lakers are doing in preparation for it, players being called in for workouts, who you would like to see drafted if we get a pick, scouting reports, mock drafts, etc.

As a reminder of where our picks are going this year:
- 1st round pick owed to New Orleans (1-10) or Memphis (11-30).
- 2nd round pick owed to Toronto, San Antonio or Sacramento.

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A few weeks ago, the Lakers brought in a first set of six draft workout participants as the team prepares for the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft, despite not having a pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Here’s the full list of players the front office brought in:
- DeVante’ Jones – Michigan (6’1 guard)
- Jeriah Horne – Tulsa (6’7 forward)
- Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu – UT Arlington (6’9 forward)
- Jamaree Bouyea – San Francisco (6’2 guard)
- Jordan Usher – Georgia Tech (6’7 guard)
- Grant Golden – Richmond (6’10 forward)

Source: Silverscreenandroll.com

[LAL1947]

Does anyone know how the first set of workouts went?

Also, the Lakers will now be hosting their second draft workout ahead of this year’s NBA draft on Saturday (May 28th). While the first workout featured exclusively players who would be undrafted free agent options, this crop of workouts is headlined by potential second round pick Keon Ellis of Alabama.

Here’s a full list of players taking part in the workout:

- Collin Gillespie – Villanova
- Tyrese Martin – UConn
- Drew Peterson – USC
- Quenton Jackson – Texas A&M
- Keon Ellis – Alabama
- Cole Swider – Syracuse

In DraftExpress’ latest mock draft, Ellis was slated to go No. 49 to the Kings. Last season with the Crimson Tide, Ellis averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 43.9% from the field and 36.6% from the 3-point line.

Lakers fan and draft guru Mike Garcia, author of the Lakers Draft newsletter on Substack, recently wrote about Ellis.

"While he’s older than most prospects and still a bit thin in terms of an NBA body, he has a clear motor defensively, especially at the point of attack, shows some explosiveness at the rim when the lane is open, and is a reliable arc shooter at all corners of the floor, even after a pump-fake and a side-step. He’s a more clear archetype of what the Lakers may be looking form."

Source: Silverscreenandroll.com

[LAL1947]

Lakers reportedly interested in buying second round pick 2022 NBA draft

A recent article from John Holinger of The Athletic says the Lakers are interested in using their remaining cash available to buy a draft pick.

"We were critical of the Lakers’ decision to not pay a team cash to take DeAndre Jordan at the trade deadline, but it may pay off at the draft. L.A. has been open about using its remaining cash stash (the Lakers can put $4.7 million into a trade between now and July 1st) to buy its way into the second round, where the Lakers currently do not have a pick.

The Lakers’ scouting department has built up an impressive track record of finding sleepers late in the draft, so it will be interesting to see who they might target. (One other note for the cap nerds: The Lakers still could have done a Jordan trade and then bought their second-rounder in a pre-arranged trade when the new cap year’s cash rolls over on July 1; that has been done before, but also would have impacted their flexibility for 2022-23.)"

[LAL1947]

Here's a UCLA guy who the FO could call in for a workout, Peyton Watson.
Looks like he may have the tools to develop into an NBA wing.

Watch on YouTube

[stan francisco]

I really hope they draft some defensive young bulldogs to make practices intense.

If this team plays defense, we have a chance against anyone on the other end. In other words: as long as Westbrook is gone, we have a shot.

[NBAWestFan]

Lakers reportedly interested in buying second round pick 2022 NBA draft

A recent article from John Holinger of The Athletic says the Lakers are interested in using their remaining cash available to buy a draft pick.

"We were critical of the Lakers’ decision to not pay a team cash to take DeAndre Jordan at the trade deadline, but it may pay off at the draft. L.A. has been open about using its remaining cash stash (the Lakers can put $4.7 million into a trade between now and July 1st) to buy its way into the second round, where the Lakers currently do not have a pick.

The Lakers’ scouting department has built up an impressive track record of finding sleepers late in the draft, so it will be interesting to see who they might target. (One other note for the cap nerds: The Lakers still could have done a Jordan trade and then bought their second-rounder in a pre-arranged trade when the new cap year’s cash rolls over on July 1; that has been done before, but also would have impacted their flexibility for 2022-23.)"

Lakers should try to move into the 2nd round. Their is a great 3 point shooter. Re-build or GSW method 3>2.

[LAL1947]

I've been browsing around the interwebs. Here's a couple of bigs from Michigan who might make good signings from the undrafted pool as they aren't listed in the 1st or 2nd round of most mock drafts. Anyone see more of them during the past season?

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Marcus Bingham Jr.: 7ft defensive Center with some offensive upside. Highlights indicate he might have a good motor. The Raptors worked him out recently too.

Watch on YouTube

;t

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Moussa Diabate: 6'10" defensive PF from France.

Watch on YouTube

;t

[LAL1947]

Bouncy big from Serbia with a nice 3-point stroke, a teammate of Nikola Jovic.
Any Serbians in the house to tell us more about him?

Read on Twitter

[LAL1947]

What would it take to get the Warrior's draft pick from them? They're drafting #28 and with their luxury tax bill of $170m and climbing... I think they might prefer to go with 2nd round picks or none at all this season. If we could get their pick and buy a 2nd round pick too, that might be great!

[Slava]

We bought #35 from magic according to Woj.

[ROballer]

Fantastic news.

You can go two ways here.

Either get a project hoping you strike gold. The local kid Peyton Watson should be on board, Josh Minott, Bryce McGowens, Max Christie, Trevor Keels, Caleb Houstan, John Butler + a couple of the Ignite kids. All freshmen.

Or go to the win now route. Christian Koloko. Andrew Nembhard. David Roddy. Christian Braun.

Knowing the FA wanting to appease James, I don't think they shed the money getting a guy who won't play right away.

We made a player out of Reaves and Caruso right away who were undrafted, we can do it with a pick that's almost a first.

Christian Koloko would start for us from day one. You can't get a better C via the minimum, we don't have money to spend.

Watch on YouTube

[TheHartBreakKid]

Fantastic news indeed. Making the deal this early in the day and going for a high second round pick tells me that they have someone specific in mind. Considering this scouting department's track record for late first/second round/undrafted players, I'm going to be very optimistic.

Now, that said, I don't know anything about this draft and have no idea who they could be targeting there. I hope it's a wing though...

[ROballer]

Out of all the guys named in the first few posts of the thread(who have had workouts with us).

Only Peyton Watson will get drafted and he's right in that range.

He played for team US at the under 18's last year. Which is kind of a big deal because only the top HS players usually make it.
Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey, Patrick Baldwin, Kennedy Chandler were some of this teammates.

Was projected as a lottery pick before the season started but barely played for UCLA and fell off to the second round in the mocks.


If we want a guy who worked out for us, he's the only name to get here. All of the other guys we can sign as undrafted guys.


I still would go for Koloko if he's on the board. Wings you can get via FA even at the minimum, playable C's not really.
We all saw what happened with Deandre Jordan. Dwight was pretty washed as well.

We need a guy to spell Davis while having ZERO money? He's the guy to get.

[MAMBAEMD]

Koloko is an absolute stud.
I'd be pleasantly surprised if he's available at 35.
I'd love to see him in P&G.

[TheHartBreakKid]

Some of the players projected to go in the second round that Lakers have worked out from what I'm seeing:


Kenneth Lofton- PF- SO
Jamaree Bouyea- PG- SR
Jabari Walker- SF/PF- SO
J.Hall- PG/SG- SO


But most of these guys, from what I'm seeing, are projected to go in the late 2nd. The Lakers are one of the most attractive destinations for undrafted FAs, and have maneuvered to go after second rounders by offering them 2 way contracts if they go undrafted (which happened with Reeves who actually told the pistons not to draft him). Because of this it's hard for me to think that the Lakers would buy a pick so early in the second to draft one of these guys unless they were crazy impressed.


Edit: And there is Peyton Watson who is actually within that range, has worked out for the Lakers, and also is a UCLA kid. He's also Only a freshmen with tremendous physical tools...I think he might be the target here. A little old for a freshmen (almost 20), but has a 7 foot wingspan. Was a highly rated recruit who really struggled in his freshmen year. Considered a project from the reports I'm reading.

[TylersLakers]

Interesting that none of the Charlotte or Indiana guys have been traded like expected. Maybe keeps Russ deals alive for those two teams?

Brogdon was supposed to be a lock to be traded.

[Kilroy]

Tuned in just in time... Who we got?

[TylersLakers]

Lakers draft Max Christie, a 6'6" wing ranked #27 on KOC's big board:

PLUSES
Looks the part as a shooter with smooth shooting mechanics, even when running off screens. With good touch from the line and inside the arc, he just needs to extend his range. Despite his inconsistency as a freshman, there’s plenty of reason for long-term optimism.

Capable shooter off the bounce. Though he largely pulls up from midrange using one or two dribbles, he could someday develop a side-dribble 3. He also flashes potential hitting contested shots off the bounce, including fadeaways and spin moves.

Selfless playmaker who keeps the ball moving on offense, whether he’s swinging it around the arc or locating an open man. He has vision. He just needs seasoning.

Versatile defender with the blend of quickness and length to contain multiple positions. He plays hard and has excellent fundamentals, meaning there aren’t any qualities he lacks to excel as a multi-positional stopper.

MINUSES
Lacks burst off the dribble. There isn’t much explosion with his first step and he doesn’t have a second gear on drives. Without great athleticism, he struggled trying to score around the rim in college. He doesn’t handle contact all that well, and doesn’t get to the free throw line with any regularity.

Turnover-prone; he too often dribbles into traffic or throws interceptable passes without much velocity behind them.

He’s lean and needs to get stronger.

[DarkoNeedsAfro]

Taking a project like Christie over Liddell is baffling.

[LAL1947]

Welcome to the Lakers, Max Christie! Work hard!

This is an interesting pick. I was expecting the UCLA kid, Peyton, but he went to OKC. Then I was kinda expecting Liddell or Procida because of where the former was ranked in mock drafts and how the latter rose up in Tankathon's mock draft over the last coupla days. Pelinka is a Univ of Mich guy but he's taken a Michigan State kid, so there's probably a good reason for that. Let's hope it all works out well.