If the Lakers keep their 17th pick Thursday in the NBA draft, scouts say talent will be available to help build around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
How reporters in each NBA city would utilize NBA draft picks. Charlotte and Portland have big decisions to make on Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller.At No. 17, the Lakers will have to wait to see who is left on the draft board that they still like.
The players who have been attached to the Lakers in mock drafts or by NBA scouts are talented players that might still be available when they select, that might slip to them or could be gone by 17.Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin, Connecticut guard Jordan Hawkins, Baylor guard Keyonte George, Duke center Dereck Lively II, Kentucky point guard Cason Wallace, Michigan guard Jett Howard, Santa Clara guard Brandin Podziemski, Arkansas guard Nick Smith Jr.
“I don’t think you can draft just on need, especially when with the veterans they have. Last year they went for talent and got Max Christie. I think the Lakers are going to go young and they are going to swing for talent and not for need. That’s what they normally do. That’s their track record. They normally go for talent over need.”
The 6-4 Bufkin averaged 14.0 points per game as a sophomore and shot 35.5% from three-point range. He played in the rugged Big Ten Conference for Michigan coach Juwan Howard, who played in the NBA.
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