NBA Draft 2017: Five prospects the Lakers need to keep an eye on
By Keith Rivas
Dennis Smith Jr.
While you could argue that Dennis Smith Jr. is another wild card, he offers more than at first glance. The freshman point guard proved he could score buckets this season, averaging about 18 points per game.
Also, since the Lakers are considering their options at point guard, Smith Jr. really isn’t a bad option. Considering the drama that could come from other prospects or the lack of ability to perform under pressure, he’s worth the risk.
A unique stat about him is his ability to steal the ball. Over the course of the season, he took possession away from his opponent 62 times.
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That’s not something to ignore.
This would answer the question of how he would help Los Angeles on defense. Having an effective young core that can score and run a fluid offense means nothing if the defense is trash.
Smith Jr. stays aggressive throughout the entire time that he’s on the court. This shows how much heart and soul he puts into the game, and is an additional factor not to overlook.
The glaring problem with Smith Jr. is his inability to keep the ball once he steals it. At NC State, he recorded 108 turnovers by himself — something that overshadows initial excitement over his defensive promise.
A lot can still change between now and draft night, but he should definitely be on the Lakers’ radar moving forward.
He’s ranked as the sixth best prospect by CBS Sports.