Jahlil Okafor (Photo : REUTERS)
The Los Angeles Lakers aren't going to use the no.2 overall pick in any trade packages for an All-Star player, contrary to rumors. In an interview with ESPN Radio host Colin Cowherd, general manager Mitch Kupchak cleared that the plan is to use the lottery pick for either one of two highly-touted big men in the draft: Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Kupchak, who is expected to speed up the Lakers rebuilding effort this offseason, downplayed reports that the team is looking for trade partners which would be interested in acquiring their no.2 pick in exchange for an All-Star caliber player. And based on Kupchak remark, it appears the Lakers are still bent on selecting the best available frontline talent in the draft.
"Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak told Colin Cowherd: "Clearly, at the top of the draft at this time, there are two bigs, and we have the second pick." Who the Lakers take depends on who is available, likely either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor," via ESPN Radio.
With Kobe Bryant believed to be playing his final season of his career, the Lakers are rumored of plotting a big offseason coup that would help them land an established star using their no.2 overall pick. However, Kupchak insisted that the Lakers' main priority right now is to ensure the franchise's stability in the future, regardless of what the outcome of Kobe's farewell campaign next season.
Towns and Okafor have been described by majority of NBA scouts as talented big men with All-Star potential, with the former possessing the tools to make impact on both ends of the floor and the former having a wide-range of offensive skills set to potentially become a dominant presence at the post.
Either of the two young studs presents a brighter outlook for the Lakers, who finally found its break last week after two disappointing seasons as they bolted all the way to no.2 from projected placing at no.4 overall.
