DRAFT TALK Thread: Looking Like Lonzo

I'm so happy that we don't have to suffer through endless hot takes about us losing the pick.

 

The thought of just keeping the number 2 pick and drafting for ourselves is exciting.

Whether it be Fultz, Ball, or Fox, it will be the final young piece (along with #28) the Lakers would be able to add to their young core for awhile.

Let's face it, it will be Cleveland and Golden State who would be the front runners for a championship for the next 3 seasons or so.

This is why I'm on the side of just using the pick and keeping the kids together for at least one year to see how they gel. If players like Ingram, #2, Russell, Zubac develops the way we hope they do by age 23-25, it's perfect timing for the Lakers to ascend to contenders as the Warriors and Cavs window closes.

I can't be the only one that thinks a lineup of Ball/Russell/Ingram/Randle/Zubac plus Clarkson and Nance off the bench, PG coming next summer as a FA so we don't have to give anything up will scare the crap out of the rest of the league by... 2020.

 

It seems inevitable that we will be landing another guard if we keep the pick. I say go with Ball, just cause that the best story LOL. BUT that does bring up another issue, and that is the log jam the Lakers have at guard. With the pick, Russell, and Clarkson, that's a lot of ball dominant players to get in the rotation as guards. Not to mention Randle and Ingram. If the lakers keep the pick and land a PG, they gotta start looking to shop Clarkson to land some talent to fill in the other issues on the roster.

 

I am ecstatic with the pick and think we will be getting a stud either way, as Fultz, Ball, and Fox will all be stars in this league...but for anyone who says Ball has the "it" factor and Fox doesn't:



As a UK fan, you can say I am biased but Fox is being vastly underrated in this draft. Ball and Fultz will both be stars but they aren't head and shoulders above Fox like everyone thinks. I am hoping Magic, since he was at that NCAA game, and Rob will consider De'Aaron at No. 2. With that said, I will be satisfied with either one of those three. If it is Ball, though...just keep that fool Lavar away from Staples.

 

I like Fox a lot. Right now I prefer him to Ball but we will see how the workouts go. So much of the movement draft Ball seems to be driven by the story and him being an LA kid.

I just want the best player.

 

I'm seeing a kind of Brandon Knight vibe in DeAaron Fox

 

From what I understand, Fox can't shoot. That alone puts me off.

 

Agreed. Like I said, I think they are all studs, and you make a good point about Ball being the hometown kid and stuff. My roommate and I were actually talking about that earlier and how he may fit better with the Lakers than the other two. At the end of the day, I just want Lavar kept away...that guy is great for comedy, but a problem for any team his sons play for. He will probably demand the ad patch on our uniforms be for Big Baller Brand.

 

Lavar has definitely worn thin for me. I think Magic can handle him but that will definitely have to be addressed immediately if Lonzo ends up being our pick.

 

Early on this season, he struggled as he adjusted to the college game but as the year progressed he shot it well. He was lights out by March. May have just been a hot streak, but still worth noting.

 

It's a concern but like Jackson he showed a lot of improvement through the season including 37.5 percent over his last 15 games of the year from 3 and 47.4 percent in his last 10.

So like Jackson, he started off bad and improved throughout the year.

 

To me, Fox looks more like a poor-man John Wall. He changes speed very well, lightning fast euro-step, and mediocre shooting. But when it comes to passing, he is not same level as Wall though. Liked how he performed in March. He was the man of UK team.

 

This isn't like Okafor and Russell a few years back though. I didn't think Okafor was a good fit at all and questioned how well he'd do in the nba for several reasons.

Ball can work for us and I can see him and Russell being a really good backcourt given their size and both of their playmaking abilities.

I like Fox a bit more right now though.

 

Clarkson's back to 6th man role. Don't see the problem.

 

Obviously because anyone who has two eyes and can see knows Russell is a very good player in this league.

 

Just look at his upper body in the shoe marketing video. Mentioned before.

 

That's encouraging, but I'm a bit skeptical of players struggling with the college 3. Similarily bad shooters like Rondo/Rubio had the excellent passing, and players like Westbrook/Wall/Rose had the size or strength.