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2015 NBA Draft: 5 Prospects Los Angeles Lakers Must Avoid

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2015 NBA Draft: 5 Prospects Los Angeles Lakers Must Avoid

Julius Randle Lakers Draft
Jeyhoun Allebaugh / Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have three picks in the NBA Draft. They hold the second pick, in which they're expected to take Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahill Okafor. The 27th and 34th pick are more of a mystery. The Lakers must avoid a few prospects, as they won't be good fits.

Jordan Mickey

Jordan Mickey Lakers Draft
Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

Jordan Mickey

Jordan Mickey Lakers Draft
Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

Jordan Mickey is a talented forward with excellent shot blocking ability (3.6 bpg) and is a good rebounder (9.9 rpg). The problem with Mickey is that he isn't big enough to be a rim protector and doesn't have shooting range. Mickey is a good athlete (37.5-inch vertical) and a terrific defender, but his offense won't translate smoothly in the league.

Emmanuel Mudiay

Emmanuel Mudiay Lakers Draft
Sam Forencich / Getty Images

Emmanuel Mudiay

Emmanuel Mudiay Lakers Draft
Sam Forencich / Getty Images

Emmanuel Mudiay has as high of a ceiling as any prospect except maybe Karl-Anthony Towns. The problem is that there is another point guard (D'Angelo Russell) that is more talented than him. The Lakers will also have a chance to land either Towns or Okafor, which would make the decision of taking Mudiay a certain shocker. Mudiay is a good slasher with the athleticism and strength to be a lockdown defender.

Dakari Johnson

Dakari Johnson Lakers Draft
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Dakari Johnson

Dakari Johnson Lakers Draft
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Dakari Johnson is one of the most raw prospects in the entire draft. At 7-foot-0, Johnson has the size to be a defensive anchor, but that may be the best he can be. Johnson is a poor athlete (25-inch vertical) and doesn't possess much skill on offense. Selecting Johnson would make no sense for the Lakers, especially if they land a big in the first round.

Rashad Vaughn

Rashad Vaughn Lakers Draft
Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Rashad Vaughn

Rashad Vaughn Lakers Draft
Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Rashad Vaughn is an excellent scorer that can create his own shot. The problem is that the Lakers already have two shooting guards (Jabari Brown & Nick Young) that can do that off the bench. Vaughn is only 18 years old and has more potential, but it doesn't make sense to gamble on a player with similar playing style. Vaughn is an inconsistent defender and the Lakers need defense!

Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis Lakers
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Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis Lakers
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Kristaps Porzingis should be a good NBA player, but he isn't what the Lakers are looking for. Porzingis is a stretch 4 with size. Porzingis doesn't have much ability in the post and he isn't a terrific defender just yet. He struggles to rebound at times as well. Offensively Porzignis will succeed, as he possesses three-point range and he can shoot off the dribble. However, taking Porzingis over Towns or Okafor won't make much sense.

George Middleton is a Los Angeles Lakers beat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @george51391, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

 

George Middleton is a writer for RantSports.
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