This is unfamiliar territory for Laker fans being in the lottery. This is also one of the biggest drafts this franchise has been in for the last decade. The Lakers need a PG, Big Man, and depth. The draft provides the first opportunity for the Lakers to improve in those areas. Good luck Laker fans. Here's a look at what some mock drafts have the Lakers taking... <u>Justbball.com Mock</u> # 10 - Raymond Felton # 37 - Ryan Gomes # 39 - Ronny Turiaf <u>NBADraft.net Mock</u> # 10 - Gerald Green # 37 - Randolph Morris # 39 - Nate Robinson <u>DraftExpress.com Mock</u> # 10 - Andrew Bynum # 37 - Randolph Morris # 39 - David Lee <u>ESPN Mock Draft</u> # 10 - Charlie Villanueva # 37 - Dwayne Jones # 39 - Axel Hervelle
I'm very happy that the Lakers grabbed Turiaf and hopefully Bynum can develop into something special. Wafer doesnt cream my twinkie though, if you know what I mean.
Actually I just realised, how could LA pass on Ukic?? I'm not complaining since he went to Toronto, but he could end up being the steal of the second round, and LA might regret taking Wafer instead of Ukic.
I give the Lakers a B- for this draft because of their last pick of Von Wafer. He is a good player, but there were better prospects still on the board. Here's a nice read on Von Wafer Read Me His skillset reminds me of Kareem Rush, but with more 'upside.' However, if the Lakers wanted a Kareem Rush type, he's available as an UNrestricted free agent. Getting a backup for Kobe at SG, but I think the Lakers organization is sleeping on Sasha Vujacic to play minutes at the 2. Also with Turiaf drafted 2 picks before it slides Odom to the 3 and makes Butler available to play minutes at SG. The trio of Kobe-Butler-Sasha is plenty of depth to play the SG minutes. Coming into this draft the Lakers needs were PG and size upfront. The Lakers did a great job of adding size with Bynum and Turiaf. However, they did not land any depth at PG when there was plenty of talent still available. Roko Ukic slipped to them, this kid was a mid-round draft pick until Granger and Green slipped. He's a big guard and a great defender. Last year Roko Ukic shutdown Sebastian Telfair at the Chicago camp, he had the lateral quickness to stay with Telfair. Ukic attacks the rim and can create for teammates. He was the 4th or 5th best point guard in this draft, and would have been an absolute steal at #39. Another player the Lakers could have went for was Monta Ellis. Even though he's not ready now and another project, the kid can score, he averaged 40PPG last year. Let me say that again, he averaged 40PPG last year. He has the tools to be a solid defender as well, especially with Phil Jackson and Ron Harper teaching him the game. With the new NBDL rules, he would have been a perfect player to develop for one or two years. The Lakers once passed on Gilbert Arenas, and this could be the second coming of that. I would also add John Gilchrist to the list, but since went undrafted the Lakers can always bring him into summer camp. With Turiaf and Bynum, the Lakers could have contined to stockpile the talent upfront. Chris Taft (a few weeks ago he was a top 10 lock), Miles Ilic, Amir Johnson (Mr. Basketball California) 21PPG, 15RPG, 8BPG, Lawrence Roberts, Andray Blatche or Ryan Gomes. The Lakers better have some trades in the works for a PG. I hate the idea of Chucky Atkins and Tierre Brown being the options at the 1 next season.
