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Los Angeles Lakers: 2018 NBA Draft checklist for potential selections

By Jason Reed

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson attends Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson attends Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

4. Two or more years of college experience

This one is a bit trivial. The Los Angeles Lakers don’t necessarily need someone that has two or more years of college experience. There are plenty of guys that can have an impact in the league, like Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, after just one year of college.

However, this late in the draft, it is rare to find a one-year guy that can immediately make an impact. Typically, the experienced sleeper picks fall to these selections as they do not have the same massive potential as some of the lottery picks. The best part is, though, that these experienced guys usually have the easiest transition into the league.

Just take a look at the Lakers’ late-round selections last year in Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart. Kuzma was a junior and Hart was a senior and both had successful rookie campaigns.

Hart emerged as a great bench scorer and has the potential to be an elite NBA sixth-man while Kuzma was named to the All-Rookie First Team.

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With the Lakers potentially pursuing stars this summer, the common consensus is that the team is in win-now mode. If so, it would be better suited to draft someone will an easier transition than to draft a promising freshman and attempt to build them up over time.

Thus, taking a look at who may still be available, here are the seasoned college prospects that may be available by the time the 25th overall pick rolls around. Of course, not all of them will be.

  • Keita Bates-Diop — Ohio State
  • Jalen Brunson — Villanova
  • Donte DiVincenzo — Villanova
  • Melvin Frazier — Tulane
  • Chandler Hutchison — Boise State
  • Khyri Thomas — Creighton

Since the biggest need is a big man and the rest of the needs do not follow in line, there is not a perfect prospect for the Los Angeles Lakers to pick with the 25th overall pick.

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However, using our checklist as a reference, there are two players that cross off at least three of the boxes: Khryi Thomas and Keita Bates-Diop. Bates-Diop is a traditional small forward but can play shooting guard. Thomas is a shooting guard. If it is between those two, it may just be a matter of who is still available.

All statistics courtesy of NBA.com. 

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