Mock draft roundup: Lakers have a lot of quality options at No. 17
With the draft less than a week away, the Lakers are examining guards, bigs and everything in between to find an impact player.
Since our last 2024 NBA Draft roundup, the Lakers have reportedly signed JJ Redick to a four-year deal, so they will have a coach in place when the NBA Draft begins on June 27.
They also have the No. 17 pick in the first round and will likely keep it, so they need to find the right player to add to Redick’s roster to help this team win.
But who can that player be?
Let’s have a look at some mock drafts around the internet.
The Athletic — Tristan da Silva, wing, Colorado
Da Silva has been linked with the Lakers for weeks now. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic projected the franchise to take him in his last mock draft and his most recent one still has him going to Los Angeles with the No. 17 pick.
Here are some good stats on Da Silva from his final stretch of collegiate games.
Over his final 14 games, da Silva averaged 17.1 points while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from 3. He grabbed 4.6 rebounds, dished out 2.2 assists and grabbed 1.3 steals. He’s made nearly 40 percent from 3 over the last two seasons.
The Ringer — Kel’el Ware, big, Indiana
The Lakers are always looking for quality bigs and have struggled consistently to get production from players other than Anthony Davis. Could they find a good one in this year’s draft?
Here is what Kevin O’Connor wrote about Ware.
Ware could be a rookie lob threat and rim protector in the mold of Dereck Lively II of the Mavericks. But if Ware’s 3-pointer translates as well as it did during his sophomore year at Indiana, he could bring another dimension.
CBS Sports — Jared McCain, guard, Duke
Would picking up another guard make sense, given that the Lakers selected Jalen Hood-Schifino last year? Maybe not, but if you believe in McCain’s talent and think he’s the best available, perhaps you take him and see if he can progress faster than Hood-Schifino.
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports has more on the Dukie.
The former five-star point guard made more than 41% of the 5.8 3-pointers he attempted per game in his one season at Duke and could be an important piece in Los Angeles even after the NBA’s all-time leading scorer has called it a career.
Bleacher Report — Zach Edey, big, Purdue
The Lakers were expected to work out Zach Edey, so it’s no surprise that he popped up on Bleacher Report’s mock draft, with the Lakers taking him in the first round.
Here’s what Jonathan Wasserman had to say about the Purdue big.
While there are still skeptics, it also sounds like some teams will be willing to take a chance that 7’4” size, improved mobility and inside touch could translate to effective offensive rebounding, post scoring, rim protection and adequate enough defensive foot speed in space.
Yahoo Sports — Ron Holland, wing, G League Ignite
Holland is one of the players we highlighted in our 5 wings the Lakers could target in the 2024 NBA Draft piece. He’s been dropping all year in mock drafts and there could be an opportunity to select him and get the steal of the draft if everything pans out.
Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports understands the drop but sees his potential defensively in the NBA and with the Lakers.
Holland had a rough season in the G League and was a high-volume scorer who was turnover-prone at times, but where he shines the most is on defense, averaging 2.5 steals per game in 14 games.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.