First Impressions Of The Lakers’ Pre-Draft Workouts

The Los Angeles Lakers are just 30 days away from making their selections in the 2015 NBA Draft!

The Lakers have the 2nd overall pick, No.27 from the Houston Rockets, and No.34.

With only 30 days left, the Lakers began their pre-draft workouts.

According to Lakers Reporter Mike Trudell, the players being worked out could only be for No.27 and No.34:

Now whom have the Lakers worked out already? T.J. McConnell (Arizona), Kevin Pangos (Gonzaga), Bryce Dejean-Jones (Iowa State), Seth Tuttle (Northern Ioha), Maurice Walker (Minnesota), and Dez Wells (Maryland) round up the first batch of players being invited to day one of the pre-draft workouts.

What have we learnt from Tuesday’s session?

For starters, four guards compared to two forwards were asked to showcase their talents at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo. Here is a brief introduction to the above-mentioned prospects, beginning with McConnell.

McConnell played his last two college seasons with the Arizona Wildcats. During the 2014-15 season, he averaged 10.4 points, 6.3 assists, and 2.2 steals.

His numbers are not impressive, but in his last two seasons, McConnell was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team, and is also coming off a First Team All-Pac 12 season.

If McConnell can bring his defensive resilience to the NBA, he could make a nice backup point-guard for the Lakers.

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Kevin Pangos is the reigning West Coast Conference Player of the Year. As a freshman, Pangos was a teammate of current Laker center Robert Sacre.

During his four years at Gonzaga, Pangos knocked down a school-record 310 three-pointers. This season, he averaged 11.6 points and 4.8 assists per game.

He also shot a career best 43% from long-range.

However, Pangos doesn’t want to be known as just a shooter.

"“I’m not just a shooter. I’m not just a set-up guy. I can do a bunch of things. Whatever they need me to do, I’m flexible. I can fit different roles”David Pangos, 2015 NBA Draft Prospect"

If Pangos can bring his outside shooting to the Lakers, he may have a spot in the rotation.

As an L.A native, Bryce Dejean-Jones must have felt like a kid in a candy store during his workout.

"“Being from this city and growing up watching all the great times we had as Laker fans, it’s just a great experience being here working to actually be on the team”Bryce Dejean-Jones, 2015 NBA Draft Prospect"

Bryce started at UNLV and ended his college career at Iowa State. During his senior year, he average 10.5 points and 2.8 assists per game – not his most productive year. Dejean-Jones isn’t in one of the many mock drafts out there, but he could be a training camp invitee if the Lakers see something they like.

Tuttle capped off his senior year at Northern Iowa in successful fashion as he was selected to the All-American Second Team.

The Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year averaged 15.3 points on a conference leading 60.4% from the field, while grabbing 6.9 rebounds.

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He has the versatility to play both forward positions and is a decent defender, having averaged one steal per game for his career.

The Lakers have lacked production at the small-forward position but at this point, it is uncertain where they stand. If the Lakers bring in Tuttle for a second workout, he may have a chance.

Maurice Walker ended his three years in Minnesota in career-high fashion.

Over the course of the season, Walker averaged 11.8 points on 56.7% shooting, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.5 steals.

Walker was an All-Big Ten Honorable mention, and anchored Minnesota’s defense. Walker feels as if he made a good impression:

"“I think I’m a great back-to-the-basket scorer. I have a lot of good post moves, good passing as well. I was knocking down my shot today. Hopefully that jumper sticks out”Maurice Walker, 2015 NBA Draft Prospect"

That would certainly bode well for Walker as he showcased his all-around game.

The Lakers have lacked a strong post-presence (I don’t consider Jordan Hill a strong post-player), and Walker could be that energetic big man off the bench.

Dez Wells already worked out for the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics, and continued his workout tour here in Tinseltown.

In his senior season, Wells was the second best player on the team as he averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.

His strong senior season allowed him to be selected to the All-Big Ten Second Team.

Wells was also happy to improved his vertical since the NBA Draft Combine:

The above prospects are only a shortlist of the players who will be worked out for picks 27 and 34. It was reported that an approximate 60 players will take part in pre-draft workouts for the Lakers’ last two picks in this year’s draft.

Regarding the Lakers’ prized possession (the N.2 pick), Baxter Holmes of ESPN states that Kupchak is looking between six to eight players:

Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns will surely make that list. Other prospects could include Emmanuel Mudiay, D’Angelo Russell, Kristaps Porzingis, Justise Winslow, Mario Hezonja, and Stanley Johnson.

Until the Lakers actually start working players out for the N.2 pick, it will be fun to see whom the fans would like to see as their top prospects.

Would you like to see the Lakers follow their big men legacy?

Or would you rather have a dynamic guard or forward?

Let the debate begin!