Lakers Rumors: LA Considering Porzingis At No. 2?
“With the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select…Kristaps Porzingis.”
Yes, Laker fans, it’s possible. The 7-foot-1, 220 pound Latvian power forward Kristaps Porzingis could very well be the next player to rock the famed purple and gold.
Porzingis’ stock gained plenty of momentum this Friday afternoon when he held a 1-on-0 workout in Las Vegas, Nevada — his first and only workout in the states during the pre-draft process. Anonymous scouts and GMs walked away raving about his potential, one going so far as to assert Kristaps as the best player in the draft:
"Porzingis was VERY impressive in workout. A scout called him the best player in the draft “He’s better than Karl Towns,” said the scout.Some league executives think Porzingis could become the best player in this draft. However, they believe KAT is the safe pick at No. 1 …via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer"
According to reports, the Lakers were among the teams that left Vegas quite impressed by the lengthy, versatile big man. Per Marc Stein of ESPN:
Draft scuttle: Hearing Porzingis not only in play for Philly at No. 3 but now giving Lakers something to ponder at No. 2. Stock rising fast
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 13, 2015
As has been well documented, LA is likely to select one of the top-two big men between Duke’s Jahlil Okafor and Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns with their second overall pick, a notion that most fans have grown comfortable with. Therefore the news that they’d be considering Porzingis sent ripples throughout the Lakers media and has been met with rounds of skepticism from the fan base.
Like most European prospects, Porzingis is assumed by fans to be a player who won’t develop well at the next level after benefitting from poor competition overseas — a stigma that has been further intensified after the likes of Andrea Bargnani (2006) and Darko Milicic (2003) became two of the biggest draft busts in recent memory. However, looking at Porzingis solely as a prospect, there certainly is a lot to like if you’re an NBA GM.
A nimble 7-footer who can run the floor and block shots with wide range and a soft shooting touch is a rare but well-desired skill set in the modern NBA and has invoked comparisons to a young Pau Gasol — much like Gasol, many experts suggest Porzingis’ only flaw is his lanky frame and lack of overall strength.
It will be interesting to see how high Porzingis goes in the upcoming draft as a reasonable case could be made for him as a fit on all teams picking inside the top-five.
Though, after reports surfaced yesterday that the Lakers potentially made a promise to Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell, fans should be well aware that plenty of rumors and speculation will emerge during the pre-draft process. While Porzingis is likely under consideration in the Lakers’ front office (as are all other top prospects) the likelihood that they select him as of now is relatively slim. Nevertheless, “Porzingis Watch” will be widely covered during draft night and is likely to kick off once the Lakers are on the clock. Stay tuned.
How would you feel about the Lakers selecting Porzingis with the second overall pick? Voice your opinion in the comments and check out his workout video below.