With the Los Angeles Lakers’ season ending in successful, yet bittersweet, fashion, their focus shifts to the 2023 NBA Draft where they have two picks. LA holds the #17 pick in the first round since they finished with a higher record than New Orleans given that this pick was originally a swap in the Anthony Davis trade (meaning that if LA finished with a worse record than NO, NO could swap places with LA and get the better pick). They also hold the #47 pick where in recent years they have shown to stay in the later round and accrue talent, with the latest example being Max Christie picked #35 in last year’s draft.
The Lakers have developed a positive reputation around NBA circles for their drafting in recent years, picking up Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Josh Hart, and Kyle Kuzma with late first or second-round picks. And maybe even more impressive, have signed and developed undrafted free agents like Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves that have shown great promise to have long, sustainable NBA careers.
Team Needs
With the Lakers being in a win-now mindset with an aging LeBron James and Anthony Davis, for the #17 pick, the team should be looking for short-term fit prospects with upside alongside the two stars instead of long-term projects.
As far as on-court fit, in the playoffs we saw some holes the Lakers should be addressing in the off-season, and here’s how I would rank them.
- More size among frontcourt
- To close out games, Lebron and AD as your two frontcourt options make a formidable backline but across a full 82-game season, it would be the wrong move to put all of the interior burden on them. We also saw in that Denver series, playing with more wings and guards led to LA getting obliterated on the boards and this would help with that.
- Backup center (can also play with AD)
- If the Lakers could find a consistent option to back up AD while also being a solid enough option to play alongside Davis, it would do wonders for the team’s depth and rotations while also alleviating some size concerns as well.
- Overall shotmaking
- We saw D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schröder, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, and Troy Brown Jr. shoot below league average from three in the playoffs and it cost the team in the long run. On paper you should be able to trust Russell, Beasley, and Brown Jr. but the Lakers just may need more reliable shooters than that group.
Six Fits for #17
Jordan Hawkins, 6-5 SG, UConn
Hawkins is an off-ball gunner. The way UCONN used him endlessly running around off-ball screens to get open and knock down shots drew comparison to a former UCONN great, Ray Allen. Hawkins has great deceleration and footwork coming off of those screens to stop on a dime and knock down deep contested looks. While that is his selling point, the slim shooter hailing from Maryland has an array of moves off the dribble as well. Whether its step backs, sidesteps, or pull-up midranges, do not think Hawkins is just a one-trick pony. He can also attack hard closeouts or good back pressure from defenders very well and get to the rim for floaters, dumb-offs, or finishes at the rim but this is a big area for him to improve on. Hawkins only shot 55% at the rim this season, which is below average and on film, he can produce some wild attempts at the rim trying to finish through defenders (which is a plus) but with his slim frame, he’ll lose control of the ball or just get overwhelmed by the defender.
As far as defense, Hawkins is a very attentive defender that does his job and can play with a physicality that some may not expect with his frame. He is comfortable going chest to chest with ball handlers and walling them off and also has the foot speed to stay with plenty of guards. He defends with high and active hands which can throw off defenders even with a mild +2 wingspan at 6’7. Hawkins is a defender that you won’t really notice when watching and that is a good thing! His ability to execute the team’s scheme and stay locked in while rarely having slip-ups or miscues can go a long way.
I could see Hawkins fitting into Malik Beasley or Lonnie Walker’s role like a glove and with his movement skills, it could open up an array of attacks that the Lakers could exploit on the opponent’s defense.
Kobe Bufkin, 6-5 PG/SG, Michigan
Not to mention him being named after a franchise legend and attending Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka’s alma mater, but Kobe Bufkin fits the “guards with high feel for the game” mold the Lakers have shown to value in the draft with the acquisitions of Austin Reaves and previously Alex Caruso. Bufkin is trustworthy and steady with the ball in his hands while being a quick ball mover and decision-maker. Bufkin has shown to be a three-level scorer as well, although on low volume. The lanky lefty shot 36% from three, 55% from two, and 69% at the rim (!!). His craft around the rim is very impressive as he can make finishes over contests at obscure angles and use his long wingspan to get around the limbs defending the rim. His offensive play style suits either being off the ball, playing next to high-usage creators where he can fill in where needed, but he can also up his own usage if need be and still leave a positive and efficient impact on the game.
This is where context should be added to Kobe Bufkin’s sophomore season at Michigan. As his teammate and projected 1st rounder, Jett Howard, slowed down in production and dealt with injuries later in the year, Bufkin’s offensive load increased tenfold along with his production which didn’t come with a noticeable drop in efficiency either (very much a green flag). In his last 10 games, Bufkin had six games where his usage rate was over 25%, compared to his 23 previous games in the season where he had a total of three games with that high of usage rate. And over those last 10 games, the former four-star prospect averaged 18 ppg shooting 56% from two and 44% from three.
Bufkin is a pull-up threat from two and three, uses long strides and advanced angles to get to the rim but is a bit better off of actions rather than creating from a standstill in isolation. A wart in Bufkin’s offense is his burst and explosiveness off the dribble which can limit his on-ball effectiveness. His shot will also need to be sped up at the next level, but it is clear the shooting touch is present.
Where Kobe Bufkin really excels though is the defensive side of the ball where, in my opinion, he is in the top class of perimeter defenders in this draft class. Bufkin’s screen navigation and footwork is just elite on and off the ball. He can slither around screens and recover to get back in front of the ball handler with ease. His 6’8 wingspan mixed with his tenacity at the point of attack can really harass opponents and force misses. His off-ball defense is supreme too, where he is a great communicator, very attentive to all actions on the court, is a good chaser, and an even better rotator. A couple of holes in his defense though is his strength as he can get powered through and sometimes is a bit too aggressive on-ball when defending fast guards and can get burned. Bufkin is pretty much an all-around prospect and will impact winning wherever he lands.
Leonard Miller, 6-10 PF, G-League Ignite
A year ago, the draft community was saying Leonard Miller had an unorthodox, funky, and questionable play style in terms of translatability to the league. Now, after his instrumental stint with G-League Ignite, I can see crystal clear how Miller can potentially have a big role impacting winning at the next level.
Standing at 6-10 with an already defined frame, Miller’s work starts in the paint where he is as physical a 19-year-old you’ll see. Miller loves engaging in and playing through contact while going up strong each and every time. He has impeccable touch around the rim with either hand and can make tough layups look easy. With that touch, he also has an impressive floater game that he uses from time to time and again, with either hand. As a natural lefty, you would think Miller would shy away from using his right hand but after watching him finish with his right so many times, I always come back questioning if he really is left-handed. His good touch is also exemplified by his 79% shooting at the free-throw line. Another place Miller thrives is the offensive glass, creating and maintaining good position on the boards to get 2nd opportunities which he makes the most out of.
That is what he can produce with his eyes closed but where the intrigue comes with Miller is his ability to create advantages from the perimeter at his size plus his finishing ability. He’s still raw in this area of the game and can produce some ugly turnovers and bad possessions, but the flashes are very real. Attacking closeouts for turn-around jumpers, going coast-to-coast in transition after defensive rebounds, and sometimes even creating rim looks from a standstill is why Miller’s stock has continued to rise throughout the year. Also given his proven touch on the interior and at the line, there is hope that one day he’ll be able to stretch that out to three. He does have a pretty wacky form but shooting 33% from three for the year gives a solid floor that teams can trust to work from.
Miller’s biggest drawback however is his defense where he has grown throughout the year to be fair but can look lost on defense a lot of the time. His defense will potentially limit him from sliding down and giving positive minutes at the center position because his rim protection skills, well they just aren’t great to say the least. And if you want to switch with Miller, he has shown of bad possessions just not being able to stay with smaller players on the perimeter and giving up drives way too easily.
As far as his fit on the Lakers, Miller would slot in as a bigger forward off the bench who would help a ton with rebounding and just potential size mismatches. He could play alongside Anthony Davis where Miller’s defensive miscues won’t be as detrimental with Davis on the backline. While the Toronto product is not the shot in the dark he once was, he will still command a lot of development time for him to reach his fullest potential.
Maxwell Lewis, 6-7 SG/SF, Pepperdine
Hailing from the Lakers’ backyard in Southern California, the team should be very familiar with Maxwell Lewis and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he is the name called at pick #17 on draft night. At a macro-level, Lewis looks like your prototypical, long and rangy 3nD prospect with a bit of upside but looking closely, it’s not as black and white as it may seem.
The intrigue with Lewis is his offense and how he has the ability to do more than your prototypical 3nD role player. Lewis already possesses a solid handle with a silky-smooth jumpsuit where he loves to pull up from midrange and beyond the arc. Lewis only shot 35% from three this year which is a bit on the lower side for a prospect that’s shooting is supposed to be his strong skill, but the touch on his jumper and ability to get them off quickly has given me faith in the shooting in the long run—also Lewis shot an impressive 43% on catch and shoot threes this season. He also can shoot off of a variety of looks with the pull-up being his go-to but can also shoot off of step backs, sidesteps, PnR, and off of movement off-ball.
Lewis works well as a secondary/tertiary player in the offense attacking bent defenses where he can exploit the creases and get good looks. He is a solid passer in these situations and has some burst and explosiveness to attack the rim in these situations as well. Lewis shot a really nice 61% at the rim this season and with his frame, it is a bit surprising, but he uses his length really well around the rim and takes long, unorthodox strides to throw off defenders when finishing. He is another player where he is much better when getting looks off of actions and attacking off of other player’s primary attacks rather than creating something alone from a standstill. He’s not going to generate that much separation off the dribble but he’s adept enough at scoring to put the ball in the basket either way.
On the defensive side is where Maxwell Lewis falls short of that 3nD label. Lewis’ consistency and attentiveness on that end of the court is definitely something he will have to improve upon throughout the course of his career. His technique can be refined a bit as well, as he can let ball handlers drive too easily without much resistance which will be something he could get subbed out for immediately in the NBA. Lewis has the frame and solid enough athleticism to be a plus defender but is missing a few key intangibles that people can take for granted with great or even good defenders. But with the coaching in this league, I would expect Lewis to improve upon his defense rather quickly upon his arrival in the big leagues.
As a fit on the Lakers, Maxwell Lewis provides another option in the wing room which the team has desperately needed for a couple of years now. With one year of NBA development already down for Max Christie, it would be fun to see those two on the wings alongside the superstar duo with Lewis being the more offensive-inclined wing and Christie being more defensive-inclined.
Cason Wallace, 6-4 PG/SG, Kentucky
With the departure of Alex Caruso in the 2021 offseason, the Lakers have had trouble replacing the defensive presence the former fan favorite brought to the team at the guard position. But getting Cason Wallace a few years later would be a hell of a replacement in that area.
Wallace is a tough, rugged 6-4 guard with all of the hustle intangibles you can think of. Fights for every loose ball, is the first one on the floor, knows where to be at all times, and is just a smart and physical defender. With Wallace’ frame, it allows him to guard up in position so that he can take on taller wings and even some forwards and still have success defending them. Where Wallace really excels on the defensive end though is off of the ball where he can be a nuisance to the opposition at all times. He’s an elite weakside rim protector for the guard position and is seemingly always in position to make a play on the ball no matter where he is. He is that rare mix of always being a steady, smart defender while also being a defensive playmaker which just leads to him being a massive positive whenever he’s on the court. A couple drawbacks on his defense though is his screen navigation as he can get caught up on more screens than you would like and also he isn’t as nimble to stay with super quick guards which could hinder his versatility on that end.
Now onto the offensive end where the totality of Wallace’s game really shines and makes him such a good guard prospect. Wallace can operate on or off the ball and spent a lot of time doing both throughout the year. As Kentucky starting point guard, Sahvir Wheeler, got injured midway through the season, Wallace, who was starting at the shooting guard position, slotted down to play point and his impact remained large. After averaging 3.5 assists per game to 1.9 turnovers playing alongside Wheeler, in the last 10 games of Kentucky’s season with Wheeler out, Wallace averaged 5.8 assists per game to only 2.6 turnovers. His already solid playmaking was able to perk up without also seeing a spike in turnovers as well which is a great sign.
Wallace is very comfortable operating in the pick-and-roll game making reads, or being a scorer. He has a professional midrange pull-up game he loves going to and is a great finisher as well, shooting 71% at the rim (!!!) this season. His steady rim pressure he can provide is what also makes him a constant positive when on the court. His 3PT shooting will be a talking point as that part of his game fluctuated a great deal throughout the season. In his first 16 games of the season, Wallace shot 42% from three but in his last 16 games of the season, he shot 25% from three so the truth is in the eye of the beholder. And from going on priors and what I’ve seen from Wallace going back to high school, I am a firm believer that he’ll become at least an average shooter at the next level (which is 36% from three).
His fit on the Lakers would be very seamless as the roster has needed some defensive size and athleticism in the backcourt which Wallace definitely brings. Whether it would be to outright take Dennis Schroder’s backup PG role or play him next to a PG, Wallace should fit in where needed and LeBron should be more than welcomed to add another quick processing athlete to the team.
Jett Howard, 6-8 F, Michigan
Who would I be the absolute least surprised to hear the Lakers choose with the #17 pick? That would be nonother than Jett Howard, who attended Rob Pelinka’s alma mater and is also a son of Juwan Howard, Pelinka’s former teammate on the “Fab Five” Michigan teams in the 90s. Over the past couple of years when it comes to adding people to the Lakers organization whether it’s in the front office or on the court, the Lakers have shown to go with people they are familiar with and those who already have ties within the organization. I mean Rob Pelinka himself got the general manager position with his most prominent prior experience being that he was Kobe Bryant’s agent.
However, that isn’t to say that Jett would purely be a nepotism pick because he gives the Lakers one specific skill they have and always will desire—shooting. Jett Howard is one of the premier catch-and-shoot players in the class, shooting 39% on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. At his height and at the forward position, this can be a luxury to have slotted in between two rim pressure gods in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Howard is also able to excel with shooting off of movement in screening actions which can warp defenses to a certain degree and open up offenses to new possibilities. Along with the shooting, Howard has shown the capabilities to be a good secondary playmaker as well, being able to make nice dump-off passes or make solid kick-outs for threes.
His on-ball game is a bit divisive in the draft community though as he does possess a nice handle to create a solid amount of looks on his own, but the drawback is those looks are mostly all tough shots over defenders. Howard does not possess a great deal of burst at the point of attack, and it limits him in situations where he is looking to create. This also limits the range of shots at his disposal where most of the time, he resorts to tough midrange or 3PT pull-ups instead of getting good looks at the rim because his athleticism just doesn’t allow him to in standstill isolations. With him being a 6-8 forward, it was surprising to see Howard with only six total dunk attempts this season and only 47 attempts at the rim overall.
And while offensively he wasn’t perfect, defense should be Jett’s main priority in terms of what to improve over the course of his rookie NBA season because it was rough. With Jett already not being the best athlete, it would need to take a lot of clever technique, effort, and engagement to overcome that deficit and Jett really didn’t show much of those three essentials. Howard really struggled to contain drives on the perimeter and at times was a target for opposing guards to go after and attack. Already not having the best foot speed, Howard compounds that by having poor technique when defending the ball, not being in a proper stance when guarding and subconsciously giving up a lane that guards can attack. Howard also doesn’t provide much resistance when defending the post and can be moved around pretty easily there as well.
And the last thing that Howard will have to improve upon is his rebounding. Averaging 2.8 rebounds per game for the full season is just not acceptable for a 6-8 forward who will be depended on to help with rebounding no matter what team he goes to. Howard had poor box-out tendencies throughout the year and let his man easily get around him for offensive rebounds a number of times. While Jett Howard in theory would be a great fit between LeBron and AD with his shooting and secondary playmaking, it would be instrumental for him to improve his game around the edges so that he isn’t just a one-trick pony.
Fits for #47
- Amari Bailey, 6-4 G, UCLA
- Local freshman product whose potential was being untapped throughout the year. Dribble/pass/shoot guard with athleticism and good defensive frame.
- Jalen Slawson, 6-7 F, Furman
- Savvy upperclassman with great defensive instincts and 7-0 wingspan. Above average ball-handler and decision-maker for his size, great passer in DHO, Delay, Elbow actions.
- Mouhamed Gueye, 6-11 F/C, Washington St.
- Fluid athlete for his size. Developing shot with nice form, solid ball skills for size and solid rim protector with 7-3 wingspan. Live athlete as well, gets off the floor quickly.
- Toumani Camara, 6-8 F/C, Dayton
- All-around, modern PF. Great interior finisher and offensive rebounder with solid outside shot and can attack closeouts. Great athlete with defensive mobility.
- Nikola Djurisic, 6-8 G, Mega Basket
- Great tools and feel being a 6-8 guard but underwhelmed statistically overseas. In theory, is a dribble/pass/shoot tall guard but is a bet on development.
- Julian Strawther, 6-7 SF, Gonzaga
- Knockdown shooter at the wing position and is a great rebounder. Average across the board pretty much everywhere else though.
It should also be mentioned that this could all be for naught if the Lakers end up trading their pick(s) for a proven rotation player. Given LA hasn’t picked in the 1st round since 2018 (Moritz Wagner being the pick at #25), it definitely wouldn’t be shocking if they elect to go the trade route again, but I also could see them wanting to get back to drafting high-quality young talent. As Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported, “The most likely outcome is the Lakers keeping the No. 17th pick, according to multiple team sources not authorized to speak publicly.” At the end of the day though, the Lakers’ front office and drafting department hasn’t done much wrong in recent years, so I trust them to make a good selection no matter who it is. Whoever they see worthy enough to fit in and develop alongside the two stars, I have full confidence in that player just like the front office will.
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