The Los Angeles Lakers were able to keep their draft pick in the NBA Draft Lottery last week, paving the way for the addition of another young star to the already present core of the team. With the second overall pick, the Lakers’ work is already mostly done as the team will be able to draft whichever of the Ben Simmons-Brandon Ingram duo is left on the board.
All indications currently point to Ingram being the one who falls to the Lakers and that may put the purple and gold in a great spot with the talent on the team. The front office will still have to do their due diligence as they also have the 32nd pick in the draft and could find another contributor there.
Nothing is set in stone for the Lakers in regards to their draft situation, so Metta World Peace decided to add his input. The forward appeared on the Dan Patrick Show last week and put in his endorsement for a different name for the Lakers to draft. (h/t Eric Yee of Lake Show Life)
“I don’t really know who’s available, I like the kid Thon Maker. I guess he’s gonna be a superstar […] He’s coming out of high school. He’s probably not ready yet.”
Thon Maker is a 7’1″ power forward coming out of high school projected to go 40th overall by DraftExpress. He could certainly be a potential draftee for the Lakers with the 32nd pick as he carries a lot of intrigue about him.
That said, Metta did not specify with which pick he would choose Maker. Perhaps the Lakers should make the ultimate bold move and draft the prospect with the second overall pick.
