I have been hearing all these scenarios involving the Lakers with their #2 pick and potential free agent acquisitions. For a few years now, the speculation has been that they would sign Kevin Love. Love is saying all the right things like he is "committed to Cleveland" and whatnot, but as a former UCLA product and west coast guy, Love appears to be a fit for the Lakers.
Ultimately, the Lakers are going to come out of this draft with either Towns or Okafor. Towns is the best fit because of his defensive ability in a frontcourt combo with either Randle or Love. But if the Lakers actually do sign Love, then it would probably be in Julius' best interest if they trade him so that he can start somewhere else instead of being overshadowed by Love; and it would probably also be in the Lakers' best interest to receive another starting need in return.
Personally, I would love to see the Lakers swap picks with the Timberwolves. Something along the lines of #1 and Zach LaVine or Shabazz Muhammad (also UCLA products) for #2 and Julius Randle. The Lakers also have a lower first-round pick and a high-second rounder this year, which could be used in a potential Okafor for Towns swap. I could see them coming out of this draft with Andrew Harrison as their second round pick, but who knows?
Depending on how you view Rondo, an even better situation for the Lakers could be if they signed Love and Rondo, and then traded Randle for Justice Winslow. This would give them a team of Rondo, Kobe, Winslow, Love, and Towns/Okafor. That is a championship team with healthy bodies and the proper supporting cast.
This is all speculation based on if they signed Love. If they don't sign Love, then yes, Randle should be in position to become a star for that team, and I would love to see an all UK frontcourt for one of the most storied franchises in one of the biggest markets. But what makes the most sense for the Lakers in potentially Kobe's final season?
Ultimately, the Lakers are going to come out of this draft with either Towns or Okafor. Towns is the best fit because of his defensive ability in a frontcourt combo with either Randle or Love. But if the Lakers actually do sign Love, then it would probably be in Julius' best interest if they trade him so that he can start somewhere else instead of being overshadowed by Love; and it would probably also be in the Lakers' best interest to receive another starting need in return.
Personally, I would love to see the Lakers swap picks with the Timberwolves. Something along the lines of #1 and Zach LaVine or Shabazz Muhammad (also UCLA products) for #2 and Julius Randle. The Lakers also have a lower first-round pick and a high-second rounder this year, which could be used in a potential Okafor for Towns swap. I could see them coming out of this draft with Andrew Harrison as their second round pick, but who knows?
Depending on how you view Rondo, an even better situation for the Lakers could be if they signed Love and Rondo, and then traded Randle for Justice Winslow. This would give them a team of Rondo, Kobe, Winslow, Love, and Towns/Okafor. That is a championship team with healthy bodies and the proper supporting cast.
This is all speculation based on if they signed Love. If they don't sign Love, then yes, Randle should be in position to become a star for that team, and I would love to see an all UK frontcourt for one of the most storied franchises in one of the biggest markets. But what makes the most sense for the Lakers in potentially Kobe's final season?