The #2 pick

[Black Adam]

eh, I dunno. after all's said and done I STILL want Towns...though Okafor would be good too imo...

good big ain't easy to find...

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Either big would be a huge upgrade at the 5 position than we've had in the last decade, including Andrew Bynum.

 

[Retroram52]

We desperately need a dominant big and this year we can fill that void if don't over-think this draft and FA period.

 

[trojanfan12]

Okafor worked out for and interviewed with the Lakers yesterday. He sounds more excited about joining the Lakers re-build than in being the #1 overall pick:

I can definitely see myself here in L.A. Just the tradition. I'm coming from Duke University. We had the winningest coach in college basketball. That entire atmosphere was about winning and that's what the Lakers' organization is about. That's something I want to be a part of. That's the same standard I hold myself to right now and being here with the Lakers, fans that want to win, that's what I want.

When asked if can he turn a team into a winner, he went so far as to refer to the Lakers as "we":

Not coming right in. But that's why we have Kobe Bryant here and somebody I could learn from. I want to be a part of that.

As for Towns, him working out for the Lakers seems to be up in the air right now. Mitch said:

We'd like to get him in. Schedule him and get him into this facility for a workout. To date, we have been unsuccessful in doing that, but we've got another two, two and a half weeks. I'm sure we can get it done.

 

[Retroram52]

Well we are what two weeks and some days away from the draft and then we will see how the Lakers proceed.

 

[lakersrule]

I like what I heard from Okafor yesterday, not what I saw though. He looks slow to me. I realize we only saw a glimpse of the workout and he wasn't going up against a defender, but his movements just seem slow. He takes about 10 minutes to get his jumpshot off. There's at least two hitches in his set-up and release.

 

[shopson67]

I like what I heard from Okafor yesterday, not what I saw though. He looks slow to me. I realize we only saw a glimpse of the workout and he wasn't going up against a defender, but his movements just seem slow. He takes about 10 minutes to get his jumpshot off. There's at least two hitches in his set-up and release.

Russell looked really slow in his shootaround too.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

VIDEO: Jahlil Okafor Interview After Lakers Draft Workout | Lakers Nation

 

[Black Adam]

VIDEO: Jahlil Okafor Interview After Lakers Draft Workout | Lakers Nation

1st off, if you're gonna be a Laker get it right. 16 titles, not 11...

 

[Retroram52]

Kids these days...

 

[Kold]

You know what guys, I want Okafor(if Towns isn't there)....but I've come to the point to where I wouldn't be totally upset if we went with Russell. This guy is the real deal, and he's going to be great. I prefer Okafor, but drafting Russell wouldn't be the worst thing

 

[trojanfan12]

You know what guys, I want Okafor(if Towns isn't there)....but I've come to the point to where I wouldn't be totally upset if we went with Russell. This guy is the real deal, and he's going to be great. I prefer Okafor, but drafting Russell wouldn't be the worst thing

Imo, the biggest risk with drafting Russell would be that the Lakers would pretty much have to land a top level big in FA. It would make landing Gasol, Jordan or someone a top priority. Hopefully, if they did take Russell, it will mean that they have a very strong idea that they can land one of them.

And by strong idea, I don't mean they think "Of course one of them will sign with us, we're the Lakers." I mean, they have solid, reliable information that one of them WANTS to be a Laker.

 

[Retroram52]

I think they will take either Okafor or Towns. Perhaps the Lakers learned something from the last two FAs debacles that they tried. Then, they will then either get in the Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris sweepstakes and/or possibly give a hinter in the big FA market.

 

[lakersrule]

I wonder what the FO thinks about Porzingas? They did bring him in for a private workout Monday night. I haven't heard any gossip about that workout. Too risky to take at #2. He might not be the best Euro available anyway. Ultimately I think they go the risk aversion route and draft Okafor (assuming Minny takes KAT).

 

[shopson67]

I wonder what the FO thinks about Porzingas? They did bring him in for a private workout Monday night. I haven't heard any gossip about that workout. Too risky to take at #2. He might not be the best Euro available anyway. Ultimately I think they go the risk aversion route and draft Okafor (assuming Minny takes KAT).

If someone like the Knicks blew the Lakers away with an offer to trade up to #2, then I would consider Porzingis at #4. Otherwise, I can't see going away from Towns/Okafor (or Russell, for that matter).

 

[trojanfan12]

If someone like the Knicks blew the Lakers away with an offer to trade up to #2, then I would consider Porzingis at #4. Otherwise, I can't see going away from Towns/Okafor (or Russell, for that matter).

I don't know what the Knicks have that would be worth the #2 pick. They have 'Melo, but he's 31, so we're probably looking at another 3-4 years before he declines. Keeping the #2 has the potential to get a player who can be a part of a core that the Lakers could have for 10+ years.

Cousins and the Kings #6 for the Lakers #2 and a player or 2 could be interesting though.

 

[Retroram52]

Despite all the rumors, I doubt the Lakers will trade that #2 pick just because the big they'll get, as has been already stated, will be part of a great core for the next decade.

 

[Black Adam]

Despite all the rumors, I doubt the Lakers will trade that #2 pick just because the big they'll get, as has been already stated, will be part of a great core for the next decade.

gotta agree with you and TF12. if you're gonna BUILD a team that's the way you wanna go. it'd be different if we had a team that was already built for a deep playoff run and just needed a body or two to get over the hump...

 

[shopson67]

I don't know what the Knicks have that would be worth the #2 pick. They have 'Melo, but he's 31, so we're probably looking at another 3-4 years before he declines. Keeping the #2 has the potential to get a player who can be a part of a core that the Lakers could have for 10+ years.

Cousins and the Kings #6 for the Lakers #2 and a player or 2 could be interesting though.

I couldn't see anything from the Knicks that made sense either, was just hypothetical. They would likely have to offer future 1sts and maybe involve another team.

I don't think Cousins is worth what the Kings will likely ask for. I doubt they would include the #6 either.

 

[trojanfan12]

I couldn't see anything from the Knicks that made sense either, was just hypothetical. They would likely have to offer future 1sts and maybe involve another team.

I don't think Cousins is worth what the Kings will likely ask for. I doubt they would include the #6 either.

You're probably right about the #6. Although, if they got the Lakers #2 and a player or 2 or maybe the #2 plus the #27 or #34, they may consider it.