The Lakers have the no. 2 pick in this year’s NBA draft, which will take place on June 25th. Having the second pick in the draft means that one of the top two prospects; Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor, will be on the board, likely Okafor as the Timberwolves are reportedly set on drafting Towns. The Lakers are reportedly ‘locked in’ on Jahlil Okafor, but if that report is true, than why did the Lakers bring in point guard Emmanuel Mudiay for his second pre-draft workout?
Per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
The Lakers have continuously narrowed their search on who they will consider for their No. 2 pick for the NBA Draft on June 25.
That has entailed working to bring back prospects for a second look. The Lakers made progress on that front on Thursday by hosting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay for his second pre-draft workout at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo. The Lakers hope to do the same with Duke center Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell. Mudiay’s individual workout was not open to the media, and the Lakers will follow the same course presuming Okafor and Russell work out again. The Lakers will have open workouts, however, for prospects they will consider with their 27th and 34th picks on Friday.
The Lakers also hosted a private workout on Monday for Kristaps Porzingis and are hoping for a workout for Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns. But that might not happen since Minnesota is expected to select Towns with the No. 1 pick.
It seems that the Lakers are having second thoughts about drafting Okafor. It makes sense that the Lakers would look at Mudiay if they are unsure about Okafor. After all, the Lakers have reportedly had him atop their draft board along with Okafor. Besides, Mudiay is a top prospect who has drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook due to his explosiveness and athleticism. The Timberwolves have even shown interest in drafting him with the no. 1 pick. Mudiay has expressed interest in playing with Kobe Bryant, so he certainly wouldn’t mind going to L.A.
In our most recent mock draft, we have the lakers going with Okafor at no. 2, and Mudiay falling all the way to the Sacramento Kings at no. 6.
