The #2 Pick

[mcscotty]

Okafor. His size and skillset can't be overlooked. NBA ready.

[Dilly]

Big Oak we can't pass up on a Domiante offensive big. I'd be shocked if it's between the 2 bigs

[Star-Lord]

Okafor at 2. There are guards that'll be available at 27 that could still make an impact.

[TylersLakers]

Yeah Deep -- 100.

Also, here's another point. There's a lot of guards that will be available to us in free agency (Beverley, Dragic, Rondo, etc). We can fill that "need" a week and a half later.

There is ONE free agent that brings us what Jahlil Okafor can and that's Marc Gasol. Our chances of getting him are SLIM TO NONE.

THAT HAS TO BE A FACTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Mitch and Jim Buss over think this and pick DeAngelo Russell, because "that's where the game is going," or some BS excuse like that, I will be severely disappointed we wasted a golden opportunity like this.

[Michael Lucky]

Yeah Deep -- 100.

Also, here's another point. There's a lot of guards that will be available to us in free agency (Beverley, Dragic, Rondo, etc). We can fill that "need" a week and a half later.

There is ONE free agent that brings us what Jahlil Okafor can and that's Marc Gasol. Our chances of getting him are SLIM TO NONE.

THAT HAS TO BE A FACTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Mitch and Jim Buss over think this and pick DeAngelo Russell, because "that's where the game is going," or some BS excuse like that, I will be severely disappointed we wasted a golden opportunity like this.

you want a good PG not mediocre ones.... Also Dragic is going to resign with the Heat.

[Kilroy]

Think Towns should be added to this list... Don't think it's a lock he goes first.

[RSCD3_]

Okafor. Not even a question. We can't try to get cute when we know the best players in the draft are Towns/Okafor.

You take Okafor, give him some proper coaching and tutelage and watch him develop into a capable defensive player.

This. You don't pass up on the potentially dominant big man unless he has leg/foot problems, which Okafor doesn't have.

BTW, how does Okafor and Randle fit together. I don't even know what Randle's strengths are as a player, to tell you the truth. All I know about him is that he's a banger inside who struggles on defense, which sounds like Okafor.

Yeah they have a lot of similarities, both strengths and weaknesses. However okafor clearly has the higher ceiling.

[LApwnd]

Think Towns should be added to this list... Don't think it's a lock he goes first.

other poster made a good point bout Oak and Wiggins having same agent who is a college friend with Flip and Minn might see Oak being a more polished offensive player as a better fit than having to wait and develop KAT

[mjba]

Think Towns should be added to this list... Don't think it's a lock he goes first.

other poster made a good point bout Oak and Wiggins having same agent who is a college friend with Flip and Minn might see Oak being a more polished offensive player as a better fit than having to wait and develop KAT

the premise of the thread is that - based, if nothing else, on fit - if KAT is there, we take him. i would certainly agree w that line of thinking, personally.

[TylersLakers]

Yeah Deep -- 100.

Also, here's another point. There's a lot of guards that will be available to us in free agency (Beverley, Dragic, Rondo, etc). We can fill that "need" a week and a half later.

There is ONE free agent that brings us what Jahlil Okafor can and that's Marc Gasol. Our chances of getting him are SLIM TO NONE.

THAT HAS TO BE A FACTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Mitch and Jim Buss over think this and pick DeAngelo Russell, because "that's where the game is going," or some BS excuse like that, I will be severely disappointed we wasted a golden opportunity like this.

you want a good PG not mediocre ones.... Also Dragic is going to resign with the Heat.

1) "you want a good PG not mediocre ones.."

Totally agree. Evidence that Russell is a good/great PG? I mean, do you know 100%, no we don't. It's possible, but not a for sure thing. I realize you could make the same case with Okafor, but I do know this about Okafor. He's a great offensive player and at the very minimum, he's going to be a very talented low post player offensively. Players with his type of offensive skill don't come around often and when they do and you have a chance at it, you have to be proactive and jump on it especially with the opportunity we've been given with moving up to #2.

And you don't think Beverly is a good PG? I think he is. Don't think Dragic is a good to great PG? I think he could start with us and be an impact player.

2) "Also Dragic is going to resign with the Heat."

Sure, if they pay him max money. Will they? I don't think he's a maximum calibre player and if the offers are similar between ours and Miami's, we know he's always wanted to play in Los Angeles. If he signs a maximum deal, I don't want him. But for 10-14M, somewhere in that range, I'm game.

[TylersLakers]

Think Towns should be added to this list... Don't think it's a lock he goes first.

If Okafor goes #1, we will take Towns. It's been reported by a lot of people close to the Lakers that Towns is #1 on their board. Well, at least I hope we would.

[Kilroy]

Think Towns should be added to this list... Don't think it's a lock he goes first.

other poster made a good point bout Oak and Wiggins having same agent who is a college friend with Flip and Minn might see Oak being a more polished offensive player as a better fit than having to wait and develop KAT

My thoughts too... I think a lot can happen between now and the draft, there always seem to be a few surprises. I think we need to keep Towns on the board until he's gone.
Personally, I like the idea of pairing Oak with Randle... I think they could pick and roll teams to death and I like Oaks inside presence paired with Randles high post skills. I also think NBA level defense is a learning process for every player. So I don't think I'd let that deter me too much.
So if we had the first pick, I'd probably still lean towards Oak. That said, I'd be ecstatic with either of them and trust the FO to pick the right one.
Russel is a distant 3rd for me. Good combo guards aren't that rare and I think it's a position you're safer waiting and pursuing on the free agent market, rather than gambling on in the draft. How many "40% 3pt Shooters" out of college actually reach that potential in the pros?
Sixers are going to be all over Russel... Let them have him and see what happens. You can always trade for him later when they draft another lottery player at his position.

[Michael Lucky]

Yeah Deep -- 100.

Also, here's another point. There's a lot of guards that will be available to us in free agency (Beverley, Dragic, Rondo, etc). We can fill that "need" a week and a half later.

There is ONE free agent that brings us what Jahlil Okafor can and that's Marc Gasol. Our chances of getting him are SLIM TO NONE.

THAT HAS TO BE A FACTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Mitch and Jim Buss over think this and pick DeAngelo Russell, because "that's where the game is going," or some BS excuse like that, I will be severely disappointed we wasted a golden opportunity like this.

you want a good PG not mediocre ones.... Also Dragic is going to resign with the Heat.

1) "you want a good PG not mediocre ones.."

Totally agree. Evidence that Russell is a good/great PG? I mean, do you know 100%, no we don't. It's possible, but not a for sure thing. I realize you could make the same case with Okafor, but I do know this about Okafor. He's a great offensive player and at the very minimum, he's going to be a very talented low post player offensively. Players with his type of offensive skill don't come around often and when they do and you have a chance at it, you have to be proactive and jump on it especially with the opportunity we've been given with moving up to #2.

And you don't think Beverly is a good PG? I think he is. Don't think Dragic is a good to great PG? I think he could start with us and be an impact player.

2) "Also Dragic is going to resign with the Heat."

Sure, if they pay him max money. Will they? I don't think he's a maximum calibre player and if the offers are similar between ours and Miami's, we know he's always wanted to play in Los Angeles. If he signs a maximum deal, I don't want him. But for 10-14M, somewhere in that range, I'm game.

No but we know with 100% certainty that Rondo and Beverley are mediocre.

[mjba]

I think Okafor is good enough that if Randle doesn't fit next to him, you'll look to move Randle and not the other way around.

This. Only an idiot wouldn't draft Okafor because of Randle(who hasn't even played a game yet). people who harp on Okafor's defence, hello Blake Griffin?! Okafor will slaughter in the low post, demands a double team and is an above average passer. I still think Russell could end up the best player in the draft but I see him and Okafor as 1 and 2 long term.

i'm not saying i don't agree w the premise that we shouldn't make the decision based on the skill set of someone who hasn't played a single minute of NBA basketball, but surely fit plays a part when all three of these guys (Randle, Clarkson, Okafor/Russell) will conceivably be here for the next 7+ years. even if you think you can trade Randle if you have to, you must concede that we lose significant value doing it that way. now, maybe, if Okafor is that good, that doesn't matter as much. but if the goal is to maximise all available assets (as it is and always should be) we still need to understand the reality of the situation.

also, what do you mean 'hello Blake Griffin?!' maybe i am misunderstanding what you're trying to say, but Blake plays next to one of the best rim protecters in the league; a guy who is top 5 in the league in defensive rebounds and block shots. this is exact what i'm talking about when i'm referring to fit. neither of our post guys will be able to guard a lick at the rim - unless one (or both) gets markedly better in that department. not saying that's impossible, but it's definitely a concern.

[moonpie]

Russell for me and that's no secret, but still celebrating the fact that we're going to end up with one of the top 3 on my big board.

[Wavy Q]

Yeah Deep -- 100.

Also, here's another point. There's a lot of guards that will be available to us in free agency (Beverley, Dragic, Rondo, etc). We can fill that "need" a week and a half later.

There is ONE free agent that brings us what Jahlil Okafor can and that's Marc Gasol. Our chances of getting him are SLIM TO NONE.

THAT HAS TO BE A FACTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Mitch and Jim Buss over think this and pick DeAngelo Russell, because "that's where the game is going," or some BS excuse like that, I will be severely disappointed we wasted a golden opportunity like this.

Sort of, Okafors defense is suspect at best while Marc has been a defensive beast his whole career

[bah humbug]

Basketball is still a big mans game. Don't be fooled by steph curry taking advantage of Kevin durants absence this yr. and who's to say lebron (effectively a big himself) won't win this yr? Okafor has the best low post game of any college freshman ever. I hate when people say he has limited upside it just makes no sense. I get that people are worried about fit w randle, but these cats are young, defense can be taught if you have the physical tools (see Bynum), offense is much harder. Also what about Russell's fit w clarkson? Ppl on this board severely underrate clarksons potential. He has future all star written all over him, but he is ball dominant and that won't mesh w Russell. If Ur gonna hate on Okafor as a bad fit w randle, it cuts both ways w Russell/clarkson. Give me too really talented post scores over two talented ball dominant wings pls. Don't overthink yourself out of this Mitch. Go w the big. Only edge Russell has is that he is 0% chance to bust whereas Okafor has 5-10% chance of being a good, not great player.

But at the end of the day I'd rather take a shot where a guy has 50% chance to be Tim Duncan/25% chance to be 2011 Bynum/25% chance to be al jeff than a guy who has 90% chance to be Damian lillard/10% chance to be steph curry

[TylersLakers]

Yeah Deep -- 100.

Also, here's another point. There's a lot of guards that will be available to us in free agency (Beverley, Dragic, Rondo, etc). We can fill that "need" a week and a half later.

There is ONE free agent that brings us what Jahlil Okafor can and that's Marc Gasol. Our chances of getting him are SLIM TO NONE.

THAT HAS TO BE A FACTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Mitch and Jim Buss over think this and pick DeAngelo Russell, because "that's where the game is going," or some BS excuse like that, I will be severely disappointed we wasted a golden opportunity like this.

Sort of, Okafors defense is suspect at best while Marc has been a defensive beast his whole career

Marc Gasol, at the same age as Okafor, wouldn't have been able to play in the NBA. That's why he didn't come here when we drafted him, he wasn't near ready. Take a look at early Marc Gasol pictures. Over time he developed. That's what Okafor will do.

[Sprewell4Three]

I think Okafor will be a 4 in the NBA. He's not going to be a rim protector. That combination with Randle is not going to be a good mix. I think drafting Russell/Mudiay then signing a big is a wiser investment.

[bah humbug]

I think Okafor will be a 4 in the NBA. He's not going to be a rim protector. That combination with Randle is not going to be a good mix. I think drafting Russell/Mudiay then signing a big is a wiser investment.

Pls make it stop. Okafor is not a 4, esp not in today's nba