3 Prospects Lakers Should Target Following NBA Draft Pick News
By Cem Yolbulan
Johnny Furphy, SG/SF, Kansas
Contrary to expectation, Furphy decided to keep his name in the draft. Because of potential fears about him falling out of the first round, there were rumors about him going back to Kansas for another season. Instead, the talented wing will hope to hear his name called in the first round.
The team that drafts him could very well be the Los Angeles Lakers. Furphy is the player profile that the Lakers desperately need. He has good size, can play multiple positions, is athletic, and possesses valuable versatility.
Johnny Furphy can initially be mistaken for just a shooter but he is much more than that. He can shoot the ball, to be sure, but he can score in a variety of ways. He is a good off-ball player who doesn't stop moving. He plays hard, crashes the boards, and makes the right plays. Having that all-around offensive game and the shooting ability at 6'9 is valuable.
The 19-year-old is a raw prospect. He doesn't have much ball skills and isn't experienced in running an offense. However, the physical and athletic tools are there. He may not be able to contribute to the Lakers immediately, but he is the prototypical two-way wing that the Lakers need to put around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.