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Los Angeles Lakers: Players that should have been drafted in the first

By Jason Reed

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: NBA 2018 draft pick Moritz Wagner #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers answers questions during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. Wagner was chosen with the 25th overall pick and Mykhailiuk with the 47th pick. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: NBA 2018 draft pick Moritz Wagner #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers answers questions during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. Wagner was chosen with the 25th overall pick and Mykhailiuk with the 47th pick. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Shooting guard Khryi Thomas

  • Actual selection: Detroit Pistons (38th overall)

The Los Angeles Lakers selected shooting guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk with the 47th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Nine picks prior, the Detroit Pistons selected arguably the best shooting guard fit for the Los Angeles Lakers in Khryi Thomas.

Perhaps the Lakers were evaluating Thomas and simply liked Wagner more with their first overall pick. Maybe Thomas was the Lakers’ number one target for the second round before he fell off the boards. Regardless, the Lakers missed out on what would have been a great fit alongside Lonzo Ball with Thomas.

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First and foremost, at 22 years old, Thomas had the experience that the Lakers have been banking on in past drafts and the experience that led to selecting Mykhailiuk.

Thomas would have served as a great three and D specialist that could have came off the bench for the Lakers. He would have been a much better contributor in this role than Mykhailiuk likely will be in both the shooting and defending aspects.

And while he does struggle to create his own shots or make his teammates better, he can play primarily off ball and benefit from a playmaker like Lonzo Ball.

The Lakers could have gotten a better shooting guard and still likely would have landed Wagner or someone similar with their first second-round pick. Instead, the Lakers went all in on Wagner and got a worse option at shooting guard.

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Hopefully both Wagner and Mykhailiuk can prove me wrong and play better than all three of the prospects mentioned. However, chances are the Lakers will regret not picking one of these three talents.

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