The Los Angeles Lakers, barring the misfortune of crashing out of the top-5 in the forthcoming lottery, have a chance to soup up their roster through the draft. In the latest mock draft by Hoopshype USA Today, the Lakers are projected to end up with the no.4 overall pick in the 2014 Draft, with Duke small forward Justise Winslow emerging as the player thy would likely pick.
Jason McIntyre of Hoopshype.com released his latest Mock Draft for the 2015 NBA Draft this week with several movements across the board. The Minnesota Timberwolves are believed to have the highest chance of landing the top overall pick, while the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to round out the top-3.
The Lakers, on the other hand, will have the 27th and 34th overall picks in the draft, and they can add up a high lottery pick if the lottery balls spared them from falling outside the top-5. According to McIntyre, the Lakers are likely to end up with the no.4 overall pick, which he believes they would use for Duke's Justise Winslow.
"The Lakers could be the big losers on draft lottery night if they fall to 6th. There's a 16% chance of that happening. Then, this pick goes to the 76ers. The Lakers will have money to spend, and could do many things in free agency. In the draft? I think you take the best SF over Mudiay or a Euro who is a couple years away. How about a Kobe/Rondo/Randle/Winslow/Love lineup,?" McIntyre stated.
Winslow averaged 12.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and also served as the primary perimeter defender for Duke, as the Blue Devils marched on to their fifth National Championship in program's history two weeks ago.
Although his offensive game remains unpolished, Winslow would provide the Lakers an instant defensive force at the small forward position, which has been the most bankrupt position for the franchise in the last three years.
By landing at least two elite free-agents and adding Winslow to the mix, the Lakers would have an opportunity to rise back to contention after two dreadful years of missing the playoffs.