The Los Angeles Lakers need depth at shooting guard and center. Georgia Tech shooting guard Josh Okogie is a candidate to be the 25th overall selection.
The Los Angeles Lakers have several free agents hitting the open market this season. It was all part of the plan, as the team wanted to open cap space, but it has left a depleted roster.
Brook Lopez, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye are all unrestricted free agents. The Lakers could even lose Julius Randle, who is a restricted free agent this summer.
Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers’ backcourt consists of Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Tyler Ennis. Ball is solid, Hart is a great role player and potential sixth man. Ennis, on the other hand, is a bit underwhelming; averaging just 4.1 points in 12.6 minutes last season.
While the Lakers are likely going to turn to free agency in some form, the team will likely utilize its’ 25th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft — acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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There is a slew of shooting guards that will be available around the 25th overall pick. One of which being Georgia Tech’s Josh Okogie.
Okogie fits the mold of a three-and-D player in the NBA, although he needs to iron out some holes in his game to become a complete three-and-D package.
In fact, The Ringer actually compares Okogie to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, which should provide a seamless transition for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 6’4.5″, 211 pounds guard was a great defender in isolation and in team defense at the collegiate level. His seven-foot wingspan and overall build allow him to play physical while serving as a decent shot blocker for his position.
Okogie’s size also allows him to be a proficient rebounder for a guard, potentially giving the Lakers one of the best rebounding backcourts in the league alongside Lonzo Ball.
Okogie is not a premier scorer but can make his money off-ball. The sophomore showed a great off-ball IQ, often getting open looks and slashing to the basket. That is where Okogie is best, driving to the basket.
However, good NBA defenders will keep Okogie at bay when it comes to cutting to the basket. Thus, Okogie needs to further develop his jump shot to improve his ability to catch and shoot as well as pull up off a dribble.
Right now, Okogie’s jump shot is fine, but slow compared to the NBA standard. Even decent NBA defenders will be able to close the gap.
On-ball Okogie is not great, but would not need to play a premier role alongside Ball and whatever superstars the Lakers front office brings in. Thus, his value as a perimeter defender as well as a defensive specialist is huge.
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Okogie could play a role similar to Andre Roberson on the Thunder; not scoring many points but being the defensive glue of the team. Every NBA contender needs that defensive glue, Josh Okogie could develop right into that.