Ten players for the Lakers to watch
The NCAA tournament began this week, traditionally an important time for NBA executives to briefly turn their attention to potential draft picks while their teams prepare for the postseason or offseason.
The Lakers are no different, with general manager Rob Pelinka on the road scouting during conference tournaments.
The team is in a unique position — it could have a pick in the middle of the first round or it could complete a previous deal with New Orleans and send that pick to the Pelicans. That’s up to New Orleans.
But with this draft projecting as weaker than next year’s, and with the chance the Lakers’ luck with injuries won’t be as good next season, New Orleans might defer another year and hope it results in a higher pick.
Another factor: The Lakers might use the pick in a draft-night trade in another round of star chasing for the final stages of LeBron James’ career.
With international players such as Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher and two top prospects from the GLeague Ignite team projected to be drafted early, some top college players could be on the board when the Lakers pick.
We spoke to some scouts to compile a quick guide of players in the tournament the Lakers could have on their radar:
Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham Kentucky guards
Let’s start with these two since the Wildcats were upset in the first round.
Sheppard’s stock has really risen throughout the season, and the best bet is that he’s off the board by the time the Lakers pick. But these processes are really fluid — no one thought Cam Whitmore would’ve been an option when the Lakers picked last year, but the Villanova freshman forward still was on the board when the Lakers picked Indiana freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino at No. 17.
Sheppard has real potential to be good on both ends of the court and owns a sweet shooting stroke. He’s been one of the best college players in the country. Dillingham at times has been flashier. But questions about his defense and the kind of scorer he is — reliable point or Jordan Clarksonish bench player? — put his potential draft position in a pretty wide range.
Jared McCain Duke guard
There are questions about his size (6 feet 3), but he’s a real shot-making guard who has come on strong for Duke. He finished the season a tick under 40% from three-point range and 86.8% from the line. Like so many scorers, though, he’ll need to show he can affect things when the ball isn’t going in the basket.
Kyle Filipowski
Duke center
An efficient big with ability to stretch the floor, he had scored more than 20 points a dozen times this season entering Duke’s tournament opener. He’s a good passer for a 7-footer and has real fight but needs to be a better rim protector.
Donovan Clingan Connecticut center
The 7-footer was a key piece for the Huskies last year during their title run, showcasing his impact at the rim on both ends of the court. This season he worked back from a foot injury for one of his best games in the Big East tournament final, scoring 22 points with 16 rebounds and two blocks.
Stephon Castle Connecticut guard
Castle, who has good size (6-6), might not be a true point guard. He has been a do-it-all guy for UConn on both ends of the court, displaying projectable skills of a winning player. He should be a top lottery pick.
Ja’Kobe Walter Baylor wing
His three-point shot was inconsistent once Baylor got into conference play, but there’s no question about his ability to create looks. He struggled in a loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament, part of a late-season stretch in which he has shot below 30% from the field. The talent, though, is clear.
Yves Missi Baylor center
The Cameroonian center has been a very projectable player in his first college season, the kind of low-volume, rim-running big who is easy to slot in to a pro team. Defensively, he’s already a top shot-blocker, and he has shown the ability to handle perimeter switches.
Dalton Knecht Tennessee wing
He’s one of the best scorers in college basketball. He’s older than most prospects (23) but has become an all-around offensive player with his shooting as the headlining skill. He will be a major defensive question at the next level.
Johnny Furphy Kansas wing
Furphy, from Australia, has NBA size at 6-9 and went on a 12-game heater in the middle of the season in which he averaged 13.6 points on 54.3% shooting, including 39.6% on threes, and shot 78.4% at the line, putting him on the draft radar earlier than expected. The bottom dropped out in the last five games entering the tournament, though, with Furphy shooting just 27% from the field. He broke out of the slump in Thursday’s opening win over Samford, scoring 16 points on five-for-nine shooting.