Los Angeles Lakers Select Ryan Kelly


Ryan Kelly

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Duke‘s Ryan Kelly was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft. Kelly is a stretch-power forward with some range, and is a quality defender. Not a great draft pick, but not a bad one either.

The Lakers have not kept their first round draft pick since 2007, so draft night has not been a big event for Los Angeles in quite some time now. The Lakers are clearly more focused on the “Dwightmare” that begins at the end of this weekend. So, forgive the Lakers if they just went ahead and picked the best player left on their draft board.

How will Kelly fit with the Lakers roster?

At this point, who knows?

The Lakers roster is on standby with Dwight Howard holding the franchise hostage for the next week or so. There is no telling that coach Mike D’Antoni will be around either. Remember, the Lakers gave a boost of confidence in Mike Brown maintaining his job at the beginning of last season, then fired him with the blink of an eye. So with everything that is going around in Los Angeles, Kelly is not a priority for the Lakers at this time.

For what the Lakers need, athleticism, Kelly is not that class, but what he can do is stretch the floor for a Pau Gasol to operate in the paint or even Howard, if he stays of course, but he is not staying. Just putting it out there so Lakers fans do not get their hopes up. L.A., you have to move on from this guy. Howard does not want to be a Laker. Let him go. You will thank me later, trust me.

After the Howard issue is resolved, the Lakers can focus on developing Kelly and making necessary changes to the roster. The roster will definitely look different than last year. I’m just not sure how will it look just yet. Be prepared for change Laker Nation, that is all I can tell you.

Haz Bey is a Los Angeles Lakers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Haz_Bey, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google Plus.

Check out Rant Sports Coverage of the 2013 NBA Draft! See who your team picked and why they will fit or bust!



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