The LA Lakers are targeting D'Angelo Russell, Jahlil Okafor along with a DeMarcus Cousins trade heading into the NBA draft Thursday and this comes as the team may look at Greg Monroe, Kevin Love, Goran Dragic and Rajon Rondo as potential free agent targets on the market in free agency this summer to give Kobe Bryant some support.
The Lakers and the Kings have talked about a deal for Cousins, but so far no trade has been agreed to heading into Thursday night. According to sources, the teams have discussed a framework that would include Cousins, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and the number two overall pick.
The Lakers are also preparing to use the number one pick if a trade does not go through and Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report is reporting that D'Angelo Russell could be the selection over Jahlil Okafor. The Lakers are planning to be active in free agency and with Kevin Love opting out, he will be a target. The team is also reportedly interested in Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic and Greg Monroe as free agents. Aldridge has reportedly told the Blazers he will not be re-signing. The Lakers are one of his top options.
Since it was reported that the Timberwolves are likely taking Karl-Anthony Towns, many in the media and around the NBA have expected the Lakers to take Jahlil Okafor at number two. Ding writes that the Lakers are considering Russell, as they see him as a potential star player that can take over as the face of the franchise in the future. The team already has Julius Randle and if a trade for Cousins doesn't happen, the team may look at Russell as the better option over Okafor.
The LA Lakers made the most significant jump in the NBA draft lottery this year and the team has players like Russell, Jahlil Okafor, Emmanuel Mudiay and Willie Cauley-Stein as potential targets if the Wolves take Towns. The team wanted to work out Towns, but he limited his meetings with teams and that allowed the Lakers to look at Okafor and Russell more closely. The team now likely will take one of those players if the Cousins deal doesn't happen.
The team reportedly really likes Emmanuel Mudiay, but that could be part misdirection heading into the actual draft. Michael Wilbon made a number of points about the Lakers pick on PTI, saying that with Mitch Kupchak in charge and the way the team dominated for years with Shaquille O'Neal he finds it hard to believe the team will pass on one of the big men in Okafor or Towns. Wilbon said that Towns' camp could push the Timberwolves in workouts to force him to the Lakers. This likely is not happening with the Wolves reportedly taking Towns.
Earlier in the offseason RealGM reported that the Lakers really like Towns and Towns "wants to be a Laker". Wilbon also added that the emergence of Clarkson could keep the Lakers focused on adding another big man in free agency along with either Towns or Okafor. Mudiay has gotten some attention and the team did draft Julius Randle last year, but he missed all season with a foot injury and should be considered reliable until he proves himself a bit more. Clarkson is young, but it could help the Lakers decide on where to focus this offseason in the draft and in free agency.
