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In a not-so-surprising turn of events, the Minnesota Timberwolves have informed Karl-Anthony Towns that he will be the top pick of the 2015 NBA Draft ahead of Thursday night. That means the Los Angeles Lakers are now on the clock, and Jahlil Okafor should be the player they have their sights set on.
It’s no secret the Lakers need some serious help in the front court, and Okafor is the next best option with Towns headed to Minnesota. While he doesn’t offer as much NBA-ready talent as his Kentucky counterpart, the Duke product brings tons of upside and some serious skill to the paint.
Put simply, it’s all about the potential with Okafor.
The former Blue Devil was the top prospect of the 2014 recruiting class, and spent his freshman year at Duke owning opponents on the inside. Although he has yet to develop a consistent jumper and struggles at times on the defensive end, he’s a dominant force on offense with the ability to score at will. Given the Lakers’ lack of scoring from their big men over the past few years, Okafor would be a welcomed addition.
Going back to the potential aspect, there’s definitely more room for Okafor to grow as an all-around basketball player. As previously mentioned, his defense and jump shooting aren’t anything of real merit at this point, but those things could both change. He has the size, athleticism and skill set to develop those things with proper coaching, and the drive to be a star at the next level.
Towns may have been the more NBA-ready of the top big men in the 2015 draft class, but Okafor has more overall potential. The Lakers now have the opportunity to draft themselves a true star who can take his raw skills and turn them into elite production in the NBA.
If the Lakers know what’s best for them — which is unclear at this point — drafting Okafor will be a no-brainer when Thursday rolls around.
