With the 2023 NBA Draft just days away the Los Angeles Lakers have held back-to-back pre-draft workouts featuring Miami’s Isaiah Wong, Mojave King of the G League Ignite, UConn’s Andre Jackson Jr, and Gonzaga’s Drew Timme. The Lakers are looking to add young talent to their roster and are considering a variety of players in the draft. All three players have shown potential and have caught the eye of the Lakers’ front office.
Lakers’ Eyes on Chris Paul
Remaining Pre-Draft Workouts
Florida’s Alex Fudge
Akron’s Xavier Castaneda
San Diego State’s Adam Seiko
Memphis’ Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu
Stetson’s Sam Peek
Chattanooga’s Jake Stephens
Overtime Elite’s Jazian Gortman
Texas’ Timmy Allen
Arizona’s Azuolas Tubelis
Most Notable Pre-Draft Participants
Miami’s Isaiah Wong was labeled as a go-to scorer with the ability to knock down a mid-range jumper, while also being able to get to the basket and finish. His presence on the court was a huge boost for the Miami Hurricanes and helped them reach consecutive Elite 8 appearances. At 6 feet 2.5 inches and 178.4 lbs, Wong is a small guard and doesn’t have a lot of versatility. Which could make it difficult for him to thrive at the next level.
Mojave King of the G League Ignite is a pure shooter who can knock down shots off screens and rolls. Making tough shots is one of his strengths. King shot 37% from the field last season. He is a reliable scorer and was a key contributor to G League Ignite. His 6’5 wingspan makes him a versatile player who is ready to make an impact in the NBA.
UConnAndre Jackson Jr was arguably the most notable talent with a high upside defensively. His athleticism and court awareness make him a valuable asset on the defensive end. If you can come into the league and defend right away, you can make an immediate impact on any team.
Also, Gonzaga’s Drew Timme worked out for the Lakers today. Overall he is considered one of the top big men in the 2023 draft class. He is expected to be a first-round pick and could be a great addition to the Lakers frontcourt.
Bradley Beal Shakes Up the Western Conference
While the NBA off-season continues to intensify with the Wizards sending 3X NBA All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns to join Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker to form the next big three. The Western Conference just got more competitive and the pressure is on the Lakers franchise to keep up with the competition. Veteran point guard Chris Paul is expected to be traded by the Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers are favorites to land the future Hall of Famer. If the Wizards chose to release Paul instead of trading him, his only restriction would be that he couldn’t re-sign with the Suns.
Now, the Lakers Must Respond
Furthermore, the Lakers also have their eyes on CP3. A long-awaited trade that never happened could finally come to fruition. However, Paul was almost traded to the Lakers back in 2011 in a three-team trade that would have paired him with the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
Although the now-deceased NBA Commissioner David Stern made the decision to veto the trade. Chris Paul recently discussed it on The PIVOT podcast.”It’s crazy how all that stuff went down, man,” Paul said. “How the GM called, me and Kobe got on the phone, we talked. A phone call came through to let us know that the trade was nixed.
If the Lakers were able to acquire Paul, it would create an exciting backcourt with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. In addition, the Lakers would gain a much-needed boost at the point guard position, since they have struggled to replace their current point guard.
The NBA Draft is Thursday, June 22, 2023. It has been rumored that the Lakers are considering moving down from the No. 17 pick to add a veteran rotation player of elite quality. Anything can happen on draft night, from trades to surprise picks. It will be interesting to see how the Lakers decide to approach the draft this year.
