With a little less than 14 games left before the NBA regular season ends, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to look ahead considering they are bound for an early vacation after another dismal season.
The good news is that they have a chance to pick up another blue chip frosh once the NBA Draft comes around and this early, many are wondering who the Lakers would be going after.
If they are lucky enough to get hold of the first pick, many speculate two names that they may go after. They are Jahlil Okafor of Duke or D'Angelo Russell of Ohio State as both players are expected to be the cream of the crop.
While that would seem like an obvious choice, it seems that the Lakers have no plans (for now) of taking in either. Rather, it seems that the Lakers could instead go after a big man to address their needs. The player they are reportedly considering is Karl-Anthony Towns from the University of Kentucky.
It will be recalled that the Lakers are still on rebuilding mode and Kobe Bryant is still around. Hence, it seems the Lakers are not interested (well at least not yet) in taking in a high-profile and future star under their wing.
Last year, the Lakers picked up Julius Randle. However, Randle fell to a season-ending injury but can hopefully be up and about by next season.
As far as their selection is concerned, there is no telling what is going on in Jim Buss' mind right now. Will he take in a heralded player who could be the team's future face or stick with his bunch and wait until Kobe finally decides to call it quits?
It would be foolish to pass up on Okafor or Russell should the Lakers get blessed of having the first pick overall. But the story is a lot different if the Lakers would not be among the top teams to draft in the top three.
So will it really be Towns over Okafor and Russell?
One thing's for sure, if the Lakers bum out on picking the proper player, expect criticism to reach a feverish pitch once again.
