Lakers Have Their Eyes on D’Angelo Russell Replacement in NBA Draft

The 2024 NBA Draft is less than ten days away and like the rest of the league, the Los Angeles Lakers are hard at work evaluating the prospects to make sure they make the right decision with their No. 17 overall pick. That decision potentially includes trading that pick or selecting a rookie who could make an immediate impact on the team.

If the Lakers decide to use that pick on a rookie, they will likely target a guard. D'Angelo Russell could leave in free agency if he were to opt out of his player option for the 2024-25 season. That would create a significant need for scoring and playmaking for the Lakers.

Jovan Buha of The Athletic and Sam Vecenie discussed how a potential draft prospect could be the way they address that need.

"I know that Devin Carter went and worked out with the Los Angeles Lakers and they had some real degree of interest there."

- Sam Vecenie, The Athletic

Devin Carter out of Providence worked out for the Lakers and fits that profile. Both Buha and Vecenie reported that there is real interest by the Lakers in drafting the 6'3" combo guard.

The only issue here is the real possibility that Carter might not be available at No. 17. He is generally projected in the later parts of the lottery and would require an unexpected fall to be there for Los Angeles.

Even if Carter isn't available, it shows the type of player the Lakers will go after this summer.

Although Carter and Russell have similar physical profiles and play the same position, they are vastly different players. Carter is a strong, athletic guard who plays bigger than his size. He moves well, defends hard, and can explode on either end of the floor. Interest in him can be seen as prioritizing athleticism and defense for next season. And that is exactly what the Lakers need.

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