While there's still two weeks before the NBA Draft, the Lakers are leaning heavily toward taking Jahlil Okafor if he's available at No. 2, reports SI.com's Chris Mannix.
Lakers ‘locked in’ to Jahlil Okafor with No. 2 pick in 2015 NBA draft, per report
If Okafor is there at No. 2, the Lakers are reportedly going to take him.
Los Angeles climbed two spots during the draft lottery after finishing with the fourth-worst record in the league, which put them in a place to get one of Karl-Anthony Towns and Okafor. With Towns emerging as the consensus No. 1 overall pick, Okafor is supposed to be there for the Lakers to pick. After a private workout, he has emerged as a potential lock to be selected by them.
It’s still relatively early in the process for teams to have made up their minds, especially with other prospects still scheduled to work out for the Lakers, so let’s explore the assertion that the former Duke Blue Devil is already the player the Lakers want.
Why the Lakers have made up their mind
Okafor was the consensus No. 1 pick for most of the year and led his team to a national championship. He's proved to be a winner at every level and has an advanced offensive game for such a young age. Towns overtook him at the top of most mock drafts by the end of the season, but that doesn't mean Okafor is anything but an elite prospect. Questions about his defensive potential loom large, but his ability in the post could make him a first offensive option in the future, which is what the Lakers will need when Kobe Bryant retires.
NBA mock draft
During his workout in Los Angeles, Okafor said all the right things, emphasizing that he doesn’t mind at which spot he’s selected as much as being a part of a winning tradition. He also mentioned he would love to have the chance to learn from past Lakers greats like Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. While not directly saying the Lakers are his preferred destination, Okafor hinted as much, which should help his stock with the team’s decision-makers.
Why the Lakers haven’t made up their mind
The Lakers were the second-worst defensive team in the league last season and adding Okafor won’t likely help them improve there. While he’s still young enough to get better on that side of the ball, he doesn’t project to be an elite rim protector. Los Angeles has a lot of cap space with which to sign a big man and there will be plenty available in free agency, so going with a perimeter player like Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell could prove tempting.
Bryant will still be around next year and Okafor might not be a great fit next to him. Bryant's game has become post-oriented as he's aged, so the spacing won't be great with both him and Okafor trying to play on the block.
Irrespective of Bryant, that’s a complication to consider going forward as well. Mitch Kupchak will have to build a roster around a player who does his damage in the post, which requires very specific pieces around him to make it work. There will be other options available who would fit seamlessly next season and could make it easier to build a potent and modern offense in the future.
Likelihood of happening: 8/10
While the questions surrounding Okafor’s game are legitimate, he’s too big a talent for the Lakers to pass up. His old school game should fit nicely in Byron Scott’s offense and his championship pedigree, as well as his comfort being in the spotlight after a season at Duke, are surely factors that the front office will value. The Lakers will continue to do their due diligence on other prospects, but if Okafor is there at No. 2, it would be shocking to see them pass on him.
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