2017 NBA Draft: Who did the Lakers draft according to NBA 2K17
By Jason Reed
With their second round selection in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Lakers selected a dynamic shot blocker in the likes of Jordan Bell. While chances are that Bell may be a late first round selection, if the Lakers do see him falling to the 32nd overall selection they should not be shy in picking him. Although there are a surplus of big guys on the Lakers, Jordan Bell could fit nicely in LA.
Realistically, as of now, the Lakers have Ivica Zubac and Tarik Black at center, and Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr at power forward. There are two routes the Lakers could take in selecting Bell, either slotting him behind Zubac or dealing one of their power forwards.
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Bell would undoubtedly be an upgrade from Tarik Black at center, although he is small for a center at six-foot-nine, his 2.3 blocks per game and 8.8 rebounds show promise to play big.
However, the more realistic option sees the Lakers deal either Larry Nance Jr or Julius Randle to make room for a shot blocker in the likes of Bell. Lakers fan likely don’t like the idea of dealing either promising power forward, but flipping one of them and keeping Bell for longer is the more logical move.
The fact of the matter is that the Lakers could possibly lose Julius Randle after next season, and Larry Nance Jr. a year later. The Lakers could lock Bell down longer, and get a return out of either Nance or Randle. The best case situation for the Lakers would be to deal Nance at the deadline, giving Bell more minutes, freeing up money to offer Randle a bigger contract later, and getting a potential pick out of a desperate team.
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Overall, NBA 2K17 did a decent job in addressing the needs that the Lakers have. Drafting Lonzo Ball almost seems inevitable at this point, and adding guys like Justin Jackson and Jordan Bell would continue the Lakers path in returning to the playoffs.