Los Angeles Lakers: Second-round prospects that could make a difference
By Jason Reed
2. Brandon McCoy, C, UNLV
This is not particularly the route I would go if I am the Los Angeles Lakers front office, however, it is a possible route nonetheless. The Lakers have virtually no starting center on the roster with just Thomas Bryant and Ivica Zubac under contract.
And while adding a center in the 2018 NBA Draft is just fine, it would be questionable to see it done in the second round. It would seem pointless for the Lakers to pick up a third second-round center when the team needs a starter unless they see something special.
If the team does see something special in a second-round center, it would have to be seven-foot tall Brandon McCoy of UNLV.
McCoy put up great numbers with UNLV last season, although it was against mediocre competition. McCoy averaged 16.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game last year.
He obviously has the perfect build of an NBA center. He is seven feet tall with a huge wingspan and is decently athletic for his size. McCoy can rebound nicely, can play the role of a rim protected and can score with simple finishes at the rim.
The biggest gripe with McCoy is that lack of an “it” factor. McCoy does not have the dazzling offensive showcase and may be too reliant on using his size to score the basketball.
However, the Lakers can try and draft McCoy and build upon the fundamentals. LA can teach him how to properly run a pick and roll in their system. What they can’t teach someone is to be seven feet tall.