2023 NBA Draft: Options for the Lakers at No. 17
Fresh off a Western Conference Finals appearance, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to re-tool and re-load ahead of the 2023-24 regular season, and that starts with the 2023 NBA Draft.
The Lakers have the No. 17 pick in the first round, and have a multitude of options just a few slots back from what is sure to be a loaded lottery group.
Here’s three options for the Lakers with their first round selection:
Jordan Hawkins, UConn
The Lakers are set with stars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but need support around them, especially on the perimeter.
UConn’s Jordan Hawkins has claim to being the best shooter in the class, shooting 39 percent on 7.6 3-point attempts per game as a sophomore with the national champion Huskies.
Hawkins movement shooting, some of the best we’ve seen, would be a phenomenal fit next to James and the Lakers others playmakers.
Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Brice Sensabaugh packs not only a shooting punch, but scoring in general.
The surprise Ohio State one-and-done averaged around 16 points per game in just 24 minutes played this season, using his physicality in isolation to get to his spots and posting solid spot-up shooting numbers, too.
He won’t add much in the ways of defense or passing and playmaking, but he would be a nice infusion of scoring off the bench for LAL.
Jett Howard, Michigan
Howard is the middle option here between strong shooting and creation ability.
At 6-foot-8, he shot 37 percent on 7.3 attempts per game from beyond the arc. But also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create for himself.
Again, Howard won’t wow you with this defense, but if the Lakers can surround their bench scorers with high-impact pieces, they can mitigate most of the risk involved with playing them.
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