DRAFT TALK Thread: Looking Like Lonzo

Already listened this morning. Keep up the good work, Trevor & thanks for stopping by!

 

Will do.

I appreciate your work man

 

I agree that the workout is being given sort of end-all-be-all status (by myself too at times), but it's not quite that serious.

I think the point is: if they're not sold on Ball being their guy and he comes into the workout and doesn't appear focused and driven, then they'll move on. The importance isn't necessarily in his skill set, but in his approach. It's been widely reported and confirmed that Okafor lost his shot because they were on the fence and his workout was terrible (beaten by some random stiff they got to practice against him). If Lonzo has a similar experience, I could easily see Fox or Jackson sneaking in there and going 2nd.

 

I think it'd be a mistake to pass on a kid just because we assume George is coming. There is so much time between now and next summer. Indy might get lucky with a deal that gets them legitimate help. Some other team like Boston might finally decide to go all in and go get him which changes his mind. Hell he could simply decide the kids we have aren't good enough and he doesn't want to be here after all.

If the Lakers work all these kids out and study all the film and then decide Jackson is there guy, then they should get him regardless of George. Having too many athletic wings that can pass, handle, and get to the rim is impossible. Golden State does just fine with Durant, Thompson, Iguodala, heck count Green and Livingston too given their agility and size respectively.

I'm with you that Jackson is the wrong pick. I agree that it should be Ball just based on the evidence we have. I'm not as down on Jackson as most though. He does some things well. I know his shot needs a complete overhaul, but he brings good things to a basketball team.

 

That's possible. I think there's some truth in everything we're both saying. There's definite confirmation that the Lakers were incredibly disappointed in Okafor up close, but you're probably right they could have been more hesitant already than some fans (*cough*me*cough*I blew that one big time*cough*).

I agree that Ball is unlikely to look that bad, but let's say they have some reservations and they call in someone like Kadeem Allen who beats him up in individual workouts. I think that'd be a cause for serious alarm for them in which case they go with Fox or Jackson. I think that's where they're at which is why I think the workout does hold importance. It's not necessarily that the workout is make or break, but I think it could be a sign they're not all-in like some fans.

I also think most of these rumors are just stupid, especially the Jordan Schultz guy. He's frequently wrong about his "scoops" and he openly admitted that his source wasn't in the Lakers. So who the f*** was it? Laker beat writers all say nobody in the Laker organization knows what the hell that guy is talking about.

 

Does that person have a history of being right?

 

That guy is weird. He's a huge Josh Jackson fan, which is fine. In May he was high on a Ball/Russell back court. He was into the idea, he said he'd draft Lonzo 3rd in the draft. Then a few weeks later he says Lonzo isn't in his Top SIX picks and the Lakers are suddenly drafting another kid and trading down.

We'll see if he's right. Seems like another "source" to me instead of a source. If we could trade down, end up with Fox or Jackson, and net another asset I'm down. I don't think that's at all likely.