2015 Nba Draft Discussion: Russell, Nance Jr., Brown

• 2015 — Owed first-rounder (lottery protected in 2015, top-10 protected in 2016 & 2017, top-5 protected in 2018 & 2019, top-3 protected in 2020, unprotected in 2021) from Houston Rockets (Jeremy Lin).
• 2015 — Owed second-rounder (only in the 51 to 55 range) from Los Angeles Clippers (Hassan Adams, David Andersen, Jeremy Lin).
• 2015 — Owe first-rounder (top-five protected, top-three protected through 2017, unprotected in 2018) to Philadelphia 76ers (Steve Nash, Brandon Knight).
• 2015 — Owe second-rounder (top-40 protected) to Orlando Magic (Dwight Howard).
• 2017 — Owe first-rounder (top-five protected through 2018, unprotected in 2019) to Orlando Magic (Dwight Howard). If 2015 first-rounder not sent to Phoenix by 2017, pick to Orlando converts to 2017 and 2018 second-rounders.
• http://www.basketballinsiders.com/los-angeles-lakers-team-salary/

Post all scouting reports, videos, game highlights for any future prospects. Thanks.

 

The Los Angeles Lakers have pieced together their roster for the 2014 season and the team hopes to surprise some people this season. But regardless of how good the Lakers are this season, the front office must be ready for next summer.

The Lakers will be armed with at least one first-round pick courtesy of the Houston Rockets and according to ESPN’s Chad Ford (Insider), the Lakers could take Wisconsin center Frank Kaminsky with that pick:

'The Lakers will be in the business of getting players who can help them now and Kaminsky represents the sort of Pau Gasol-type big man who’s long on finesse and low on physicality. His ability to step out and stretch the defense is also very attractive. He could be a nice long-term pairing next to Julius Randle.'

After two seasons in which he barely saw the court, Kaminsky burst on the scene last year with averages of more than 13 points, six rebounds, and nearly two blocks per game. A legitimate seven-footer, Kaminsky also shot an impressive 37.8 percent from three-point range.

The pick makes sense for the Lakers as the only true center on the roster is Robert Sacre. Kaminsky could also add some shooting to a Lakers team that has very few pure shooters.

Also of note in this mock draft is that the they have projected the Lakers to finish with the ninth-worst record in the NBA which would be an improvement from last season, but would force the team to give up their pick to the Phoenix Suns.

http://www.lakersnation.com/espns-nba-mock-draft-has-lakers-selecting-frank-kaminsky/2014/08/05/

 

It is...LOL. Kaminsky is a nice player, though. Although, circumstances change all the time...the college basketball season is fun to me, though. I'll continue to add in talk/chatter, and if we have our pick, hopefully the thread heats up by May/June.

 

It's been discussed, but, if it came down to us making the playoffs, and Houston losing out, effectively losing our 2015 Houston pick, I would happily take that situation, even if we had no chance in the playoffs.

I'd rather look like a team that fights for a playoff spot rather than looking to rebuild through the draft.

 

As we know, we're not to be very good this season. I already have my sights set on a top 5 pick; whether or not we get, I don't know, but what I will begin doing is start posting videos, scouting reports of the top 5 prospects coming out of high school. If anybody has anything they'd like to add or someone that has caught their eye, please post it. I'll start with the number 1 prospect coming out of high school.

I'll start with Jahil Okafor; a 6'11, 272 lb center, with a standing reach of 7'5. Scouts rave over this guy. Fran Franscillo, an international scout seen him play in 1 game, and said, he could 'log 10-15 minutes in the NBA right now.' Here are some videos...

 

Okafor established position inside the paint at will thanks to his massive frame, and then unleashed a barrage of phenomenal post moves time after time to score points virtually whenever he pleased. He drew fouls at a steady rate simply by catching the ball and being aggressive, being very difficult to contain thanks to his unique combination of power, finesse and smarts. His arsenal includes a variety drop-steps, spin-moves, up and unders and jump-hooks with either hand, as he was clearly the most fundamentally sound post-player in attendance despite only just having completed his high school senior year.

Not just a brute force with his back to the basket, Okafor can also operate in the mid-post as well, showing the ability to create his own shot off the dribble with a strong first step, great patience, outstanding footwork and soft touch around the basket.

In addition to his excellent skill-level, Okafor impresses with his willingness to play inside, not being afraid of playing through contact with the older players here in Colorado Springs. He clearly realizes what his strengths are and didn't shy away from banging inside even when things got very physical inside the paint, which is a good sign for his transition from high school to college and eventually the NBA.

Defensively, Okafor is a major presence inside thanks to his terrific frame and 7-3 wingspan, but his lack of experience shows much more on this end of the floor than it does offensively. He has a difficult time stepping out onto the perimeter due to his average lateral quickness, and isn't much of a rim protector as he does not possess tremendous explosiveness rotating over from the weak-side. He is a very good rebounder, though, doing a nice job cleaning up the glass on both ends of the floor.

Okafor appeared to be a lock to make the team from the very first moment he stepped on the floor thanks to his advanced skill-set and feel for the game, as he's simply a game-changer inside the paint that very few international teams will have an answer for. The US squad will likely look to utilize him heavily every time he steps on the floor, and he'll surely play a major role in any success this team has.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz3Hk3FJLE3

 

He is oddly unathletic at his size. I love watching post players, and he has a good set of skills and footwork, but he has a really, REALLY, low release point for his size, and gets away with it because of his length. He doesn't get off the floor very well and his hook shots are more sweeping hooks than jump hooks.

Looks good, talent is there, but he doesn't jump out as me as dominant.

 

video remindsme a little of young eddy curry. don't laugh, eddy could have been good if he liked basketball at all.

 

Guys curious about college hoops should definitely check out the State Farm Champions Classic on ESPN this tuesday. Michigan State, Duke, Kansas and Kentucky will be facing off. A ton of prospects on those 4 squads.

 

The season just started off, but Duke's Justise Winslow is already looking like a guy to keep an eye on as well.

 

Thanks for making the thread. Now we wont have to talk draft in several threads lol. I dont think its too early neither. IF we get top 5 pick, what do you think chances are of keeping it and trading it for a player ready to impact. Also, several good PFs available in free agency, chances of dealing Randle as well?

 

Stanley Johnson is the player that we need, 6'8, athletic, can shoot the 3 and plays defense like a prime ron artest/jimmy butler/kawhi leonard type. Scouts have him at 4th pick.

 

If we get a top 5 pick (therefore we keep it and Phoenix doesn't get it) I vote we trade it away for a proven player. We're in win-now mode with Kobe, the last thing we need to worry about is developing another rookie.

 

I am definitely a fan of Stanley.

 

lol, could have fooled me. I'd keep the pick unless it meant a top 10-15 nba player was coming back. and even then, I'd be wary. the team's not going to compete during kobe's extension, so the best route to team-building right now is through the draft. a top 5 pick is worth using. pair it with randle and tons of cash, and you might be able to start building something a couple years from now.

as for the prospects, i'll be watching closely this season. I'd like a center, but the lakers really have needs at all positions save maybe pf.

Houston's pick will be low, but I actually trust management to do something decent there. I feel like the lakers have picked quite well in recent years (maybe even a full decade) when they had picks in the top 40.