The LA Lakers have the number two overall pick in the draft and reports have the team considering Jahlil Okafor as the top target along with players like Kristaps Porzingis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell and this comes as the team may also spend in free agency while chasing names like LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol and Rajon Rondo.
The Lakers jumped up over the Knicks and the Sixers in the draft lottery to get the number two pick and now they are in position to get one of the best prospects in the class. Most draft experts see Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns as the two best players in the draft and that puts the Lakers in an interesting position. The team can pick the player that is leftover if the Minnesota Timberwolves take Okafor or Towns, but the Lakers also have the chance to pick who they feel is the best player available.
Recent reports have Okafor as the "top option" for the Lakers at number two with the Wolves reportedly "locked in" on Anthony at number one, but Los Angeles is also working out other players. Chad Ford reports that the team has Okafor and Emmanuel Mudiay at the top of their draft board coming in, while Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports that the Lakers have "something to ponder" about Kristaps Porzingis after he had a strong workout.
Pro Basketball Talk reported that the 19 year old player international prospect out on a very good showing in a workout for scouts and he could be a potential target for any of the teams in the top four. PBT reports that some scouts see Porzingis as the best player in the draft and it comes after the 7'1 prospect showed off his long range skills and shooting touch in his workout. Stein writes that Porzingis could be an option for the Philadelphia 76ers if he gets past the top two, while he also could be an option for the Lakers.
Most mock drafts have Okafor and Towns going one-two with D'Angelo Russell going to Philly at three and either Justise Winslow or Emmanuel Mudiay to the Knicks at number four. The Knicks have reportedly considered trading out of the fourth pick and they have also looked into names like Porzingis, Trey Lyles and Cameron Payne as potential draft options. Okafor is going to be considered the pick for the Lakers until something major changes, as the Wolves are likely taking Towns at one.
The Lakers are also expected to be active in free agency this summer and LaMarcus Aldridge could be a top target for the team along with Rajon Rondo, Marc Gasol and Greg Monroe. Monroe is coming off of a career season and is expected to get a major contract on the market, while Aldridge is also seeking a max deal. The Mavericks reportedly are one of the top targets for Aldridge along with the Rockets and Celtics, while Gasol is going to be chased by teams but likely will end up staying in Memphis. Aldridge may leave Portland and if he does, the Lakers could be a strong option.