Lakers Rumors: Ranking who is most likely to get drafted by the Lakers
By Jason Reed
5. Dennis Smith Jr.
Chance of being drafted by LA: 5%
With a draft class so deep, you wouldn’t think that Dennis Smith Jr would be in the discussion for the second overall pick. CBS Sports has Smith falling to eighth overall to the New York Knicks, making him the fourth point guard selected.
In any other draft class, however, you could make the case that Smith would be a top three selection. Smith has some surprising athleticism and could be a dynamic score first guard in the NBA. Playing for NC State as a freshman Smith averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.
Smith has the ability to score and be a playmaker, which could tempt this Lakers team. He has shown the ability to be a big scorer, dropping 30 or more points four times last season. Yet, he has also shown the ability to be a pass-first guard, getting ten or more assists four times as well.
Smith would be able to give the Lakers the occasional triple-double early and could develop into a nightly double-double player. Better scorers in the NBA will only help his pass numbers, and his .455 field goal percentage shows he can score the rock.
Smith certainly is a darkhorse for the Lakers, but he would not be a bad selection by any stretch of the imagination. If Los Angeles does want to trade down in the draft it would likely be to select Dennis Smith Jr.