{"id":74619,"date":"2024-04-23T15:55:05","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T19:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=74619"},"modified":"2024-04-23T15:55:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T19:55:05","slug":"2024-nba-draft-lakers-place-in-first-round-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/04\/23\/2024-nba-draft-lakers-place-in-first-round-revealed\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 NBA Draft: Lakers Place in First Round Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Lakers\u2019 <\/span>heartbreaking game 2 loss<\/span><\/a> last night has many fans believing their season could be over sooner than later. Amid the wild times of the 2024 playoffs, the NBA released the tiebreakers for this year\u2019s draft on Monday, with the 47-35 Lakers being in a four-way tiebreaker with the 76ers, Magic and Pacers.<\/span><\/p>\n

2024 NBA Draft: Lakers Place in First Round Revealed<\/b><\/h2>\n

Lakers\u2019 First-Round Pick<\/b><\/h3>\n

This year, the Lakers will be picking 17th in the 2024 NBA Draft, finishing <\/span>second in that tiebreaker behind Philadelphia<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are plenty of discussions around the Lakers\u2019 offseason plans, including whether they\u2019d keep or trade the first-round pick. A deal could still be on the table, depending on the interest of another \u201cthird star hunt.\u201d However, judging by this season, the Lakers could also spend that first-round pick on a talented rookie who could help them right away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Positions of Need<\/b><\/h3>\n

The biggest need for the Lakers is at center. It\u2019s been proven in this series and throughout the year that <\/span>Anthony Davis<\/span><\/a> needs a reliable backup if he gets hurt or into foul trouble, just as he did last night. His current backups, <\/span>Jaxson Hayes<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Christian Wood<\/span><\/a>, have been polarizing, to say the least. Hayes has been too inconsistent in meaningful minutes, while Wood is ramping up towards a return from knee surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other options would be the shooting guard or small forward positions, as the Lakers\u2019 injuries left them decimated at these spots at various points throughout the year. The team could use a younger guard or forward who can roam the perimeter while making effective shots. This year\u2019s draft class has plenty of guards and wings who fit that profile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Potential Options<\/b><\/h3>\n

One target the Lakers should consider is Indiana big man <\/span>Kel\u2019el Ware<\/span><\/a>. The 7-footer is <\/span>a double-double machine<\/span><\/a> who can space the floor as a respectable three-point shooter. Ware averaged 16 points and ten rebounds per game in 30 appearances as a sophomore. He shot 58% shooting from the field, 42% from deep and 63% from the line. Ware was also named to the <\/span>All-Big Ten second team and an All-Defensive selection<\/span><\/a>, averaging nearly two blocks per game. Several draft boards have him mocked to the late-teens. With the Lakers desperately in need of frontcourt help, Ware\u2019s talents should put him on their radar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Lakers. Kel\u2019el Ware.<\/p>\n

You heard it here first.<\/p>\n

Indiana Redemption in the Draft.
But this time draft the Big.
pic.twitter.com\/i3B05xsiws<\/a><\/p>\n

— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) April 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n