2017 NBA Draft: If not Lonzo Ball – Three Players the Lakers should Draft
By Jason Reed
TJ Leaf – Power Forward
For this selection in the 2017 NBA Draft, let’s be optimistic and assume that the Lakers do indeed get a top three selection and pick up Lonzo Ball. It still brings into question, who else should the Lakers draft in the first round? They still will have the Rockets pick, and need to utilize it too. The team needs to focus on the grand scheme of the draft, not just picking up Lonzo Ball.
The answer to that question lies in Lonzo Ball’s teammate – TJ Leaf. TJ Leaf is also a freshman for the UCLA basketball team and could continue his relationship with Ball in Los Angeles. Leaf provides a slightly bigger option than Julius Randle and could come off of the bench at either forward spot. With a 45.3% three-point shot, having a stretch big will be great for the Lakers in today’s NBA.
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As of now, Leaf is projected to go two picks ahead of the Lakers. Of course, anything can happen with these selections in the coming months, but should the Lakers fall back they have alternative options.
Lets say they do need to swap picks with the Nets in order to get Leaf. They could then swap picks, trade Larry Nance Jr, and likely get a second round pick out of it as well. Leaf would be a similar replacement to Nance, and could give the Lakers more than they put.
Averaging 16.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks the fellow southern California kid TJ Leaf may be best suited to join his teammate wearing purple and gold next season. While he would be coming off of the bench, he would add a certain dynamic that the Lakers need to turn their ship around.
Well, there you have it. There are three players that the Lakers may want to keep their eye on heading into the 2017 NBA Draft. I know all of Los Angeles wants and expects Lonzo Ball to go to the Los Angeles Lakers, but they always need to hold alternative plans.