NEW YORK ____ The Lakers had been trying to buy their way into the second round of the NBA draught this year, as we here at Heavy.com revealed back on June 6. On Thursday, they succeeded, snatching the Magic's No. 35 choice in exchange for money and a future second-round pick.
What the Lakers will do with it now is the question.
The players the organization picked to work out during the predraft process—mostly older, more skilled college players who might keep on the roster and contribute right away in 2022–23—gave some indication of their intentions. The Lakers need young guys who can give the club some enthusiasm, not players with upside.
They would be content to take home a young backup point guard.
They can see the writing on the wall, they need young players, a league insider told Heavy.com earlier this month. When they have a player they like, like they did with Talen Horton-Tucker, they are frequently one among the clubs trying to acquire a second-round choice. They'll probably try to purchase a second-round selection this year, send money, and trade a future pick because they want to get as young as they can.
For Horton-rights, Tucker's the Lakers paid the Magic $2.2 million in 2019 along with a second-round pick in the 2020 draught.
Polished Gonzaga PG the Top Contender?
Gonzaga point guard Andrew Nembhard, who spent two seasons at Florida before completing his junior and senior years with the Bulldogs, has become one of the more well-known late first/early second-round prospects among scouts and league officials. As a senior, Nembhard averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 assists, and 38.3 percent from outside the arc.
One scout said to Heavy.com, "When it comes to players that are polished, he definitely tops in this class." Because he is prepared to go in right away and take on a role, I could see a team selecting him late in the first round. He won't be a superstar, but he may start off as a reliable backup point guard who makes good decisions and few mistakes. One of the major weaknesses in his game was that he shot the ball well as a senior.
Jemaree Bouyea a Potential Lakers Pick at 35
The Lakers are likely to keep an eye on Nembhard, but they also tried out San Francisco point guard Jemaree Bouyea, a 6-foot-2 fifth-year senior who is already 23 years old, and he is ready for backup point guard minutes this season. In each of his previous two seasons, Bouyea averaged 17.3 points.
Expect the Lakers to keep an eye on first-round picks who fall to Round 2, especially seasoned players like Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell, Wake Forest forward Jake LaRavia, and dynamic junior guard Christian Braun of Kansas.
The Brooklyn Nets were the second-oldest club, averaging 28.3 years, while the Lakers had a group that was by far the oldest in the NBA at 30.0 years old. Next season, the organization is keen to bolster its roster with younger, more motivated players.
Click here for more trending news