The NBA Finals concluded on Sunday, and the league now quickly pivots to this week’s draft.
The Lakers might not have a top pick, but they will be selecting a player at No. 55.
Last year, they had the same position and took Bronny James. Can they find success at that spot again this year?
The Lakers are in desperate need of a center, but recent mock drafts had Los Angeles taking guard Tamar Bates. Has that changed now that we have begun draft week?
Let’s take a look at who some of the latest mock drafts are projecting will go to the Lakers.
Vladislav Goldin, center, Michigan
With the Lakers drafting near the end of the second round, there will be no obvious choice to make. They’ll have to take a risk, and perhaps a senior like Goldin is the best option for Los Angeles.
He’s a center who has improved every year in college. In his final season at Michigan, he averaged 16.6 points and seven rebounds per game.
Here is what Kevin O’Connor had to say about the Wolverine.
Goldin is a large Russian center who excels at scoring at the rim with soft touch, and as a senior he began to shoot jumpers. Concerns about his defense and athleticism put him in the second round, but he has the overall skills to be a rotation big.
Hunter Sallis, guard, Wake Forest
Mock drafts have had Sallis going to the Lakers for weeks now. This time, it’s ESPN having the Wake Forest guard heading to the City of Angels.
While they didn’t provide analysis as to why Sallis makes sense for the Lakers, his upside is clear.
He is an athletic guard and a certified bucket-getter, who averaged 18.3 points for Wake Forest in his senior season.
Los Angeles has found success drafting college upperclassmen. Last year, they selected Dalton Knecht at No. 17.
Another guard who has emerged in mock drafts heading to Los Angeles is Mark Sears of Alabama. Sports Illustrated has the senior joining the Lakers after concluding his collegiate career, averaging 18.6 points per game.
This season saw a slight dip in production for Sears compared to his junior campaign, during which he averaged 21.5 points per game and shot 43.6% from 3-point range.
Perhaps he will fall to the Lakers at No. 55 and they can bring out the best in him at the next level.
