Alright Laker Nation, the Lakers have wrapped up their draft night, assuming they're not going to make a trade for another draft pick (which is unlikely). I'm going to make this post short and sweet and give my thoughts on the Lakers' two pick in 2016 NBA Draft. Here are the picks and then I'll provide my thoughts:
Highlights:
Round 2 Pick 32: Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia
Highlights:
Comments
There were no other options to consider on the 2nd pick in the first round, the Lakers had to take Brandon Ingram after the 76ers got Ben Simmons. I made a little joke that if the Lakers selected somebody outside of Ingram with the 2nd pick, I was going to go down to El Segundo and choke someone in the Lakers F.O. (front office). I'm satisfied they stuck with the script of Simmons, then Ingram, then every prospect for himself for every other team. The Lakers are getting a high ceiling prospect with superstar potential in Ingram. I did a Simmons vs. Ingram comparison myself and Ingram has clear-cut advantages in scoring and defensive capabilities because of his length and wingspan (a la Kevin Durant). I think his passing and court vision is solid, surely not up to par with Ben Simmons, but it's still decent. He could be the next K.D. A lot of skeptics are saying he's too skinny, but obviously with a little strength and conditioning, he could bulk up easily. Ingram and Russell on the same court has potential to be a legit scoring duo.
When the Lakers took Ivica Zubac in the 2nd round, I heard that most teams had him on radar as late bloomer in the 1st round at best. If that was the case, I thought to myself this guy could be a possible steal. Of course him being an international prospect is going to throw off the casual fan. I am that casual fan, but this is what I'll tell you about Zubac, his game reminds me of Pau Gasol. Zubac has a good low post game; that's what drew the Gasol comparisons when I saw his highlights. I would say he's a better finisher than Pau in the paint (subject to change once he faces NBA competition). Defensively, he's got a good recovery once he gets beat because he continues to stay on his man (again, subject to change once faces NBA competition). With a little more development and refinery of his game inside the post, he could turn out to be a good rim protector and a quality backup Center.
Overall, the Luke Walton era is off to a solid start. The Lakers addressed the draft the right way, taking the 2nd best prospect after Ben Simmons and filling a need at the Center position (in my opinion). I give Mitch Kupchak and even Jim Buss credit for staying firm and doing the right thing in selecting Ingram. Well, next stop is the free agency period in July. I'll see you guys for that.
Grade: A
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