DRAFT TALK Thread: Looking Like Lonzo

If we could move 2 and Deng, get Fox and something else, I think we'd be absolutely insane to do otherwise.

 

Regarding Magic's view on what's definite...he was definite that we were keeping the pick. Given that there was a <50% chance of that happening, he either doesn't understand basic probabilities, is talking bluster, or is cheating. Two of these answers mean we should take his words with a short ton of salt. The other one means we'd better hope he doesn't get caught.

 

I agree in some respects, but I also think there's vastly more room for optimism. Namely: Mitch was banking on faith in nothing. Nobody was telling us they were signing here, nobody was telling us they wanted to be our captain, everyone was just hoping for the best.

Rob and Magic are already playing the game at a better level than Mitch was towards the end there. Obviously that can change, but the subtext from Magic is easier to read than most people. I think they've been told by George's agent that if we can secure two max slots in 2018, we've got the inside track. Now it's incumbent on the team to find ways to dump Mozgov and (especially so) Deng in order to get to that spot. If they could find ways to get rid of those guys by next summer, the future is bright.

I also think the Mozgov/Deng deals were clearly the death throes of Jim and Mitch. I think Rob is too smart for that, especially since one of the first things he said in his introductory press conference was that we had to get rid of some contracts.

 

One of the lead scouts of DraftExpress with Laker Film Room. Fantastic listen.

edit- I genuinely can't recommend this enough. Two really, really smart basketball minds go deep into the draft and what the Lakers have and what the draft could provide for them. It's all very thought provoking in terms of what these kids provide. I also like getting a feel of what the DE minds think about.

edit 2- @abeer3 it might make you happy to know Schmitz compares Ojeleye to Crowder as well. Says he does have a competitive attitude on the floor. Says he's the kind of guy who if he slides he'll be looked at as a guy who should have gone in the top 20.

edit 3- @LaVarBallsDad they go over Adebayo as well. Schmitz goes into what makes the kid tick and why he's not going higher in the draft.

edit 4- Schmitz says the best Laker draft would be to get Lonzo and Ojeleye. I agree 100%.

 

I like everything on this list but #19 is what I really wanted to hear.

 

I like that he wants (demands) players be in better shape. Also love that FAs want to come to LA again. I love what Mitch did for us, but his personality wasn't a plus for us. Magic and Pelinka are going to wow FAs. Something Mitch and Jimmy just weren't capable of.

 

Great breakdown of what was said. If anyone cares to listen to the whole thing you can do that here:

http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=19461258

 

He would play SG. He's the exact same height as Jimmy Butler albeit thinner in the shoulders (he's 20 pounds lighter than Butler was at draft time).

Jackson brings a lot of positives to the game. What pops off the page for him is all the right plays he makes on the court. He always seems to be in position to make something good happen on either side of the ball. He's an excellent passer and projects as a good defender at both wing spots. He's too small to play PF in the NBA, but he's an explosive athlete. A common comparison is Iguodala and I see it. A tall wing who can handle, pass the ball, and defend.

The key to Jackson will be the need for every single one of our kids to immediately be better shooters. We'd need Julius and Brandon to be better shooters by a lot and we'd need D'Angelo to be more consistent too because I'm not positive Jackson's shot ever gets fixed all the way. It's sort of a slingshot type motion that doesn't look easy to repeat or easy to fix.

Still we're talking about a lineup from 1-4 that could switch just about everything defensively in a couple years where each player can grab the ball and push the break down the floor. If it sounds familiar, that's the way GS plays.

I still think Lonzo is the right choice, but Jackson makes some sense. He'd bring a different level of defensive intensity and energy to the team that we just do not have right now.