It’s officially draft season at Lakers’ headquarters. The Los Angeles Lakers have the 25th (via Cleveland) and 47th (via Denver) picks in the 2018 NBA Draft and will be hoping to continue their run of selecting difference makers deep in the draft.
That process starts with individual draft workouts. At Lakers Outsiders, we will be keeping track of every prospect the Lakers meet, interview and workout. Bookmark this page and keep checking between now and June 21 for all of the latest news and rumors on the draft.
Updated: June 15, 2018
Peyton Aldridge, Davidson
Gabe Devoe, Clemson
Yante Maten, Georgia
De’Anthony Melton, USC
Justin Tillman, VCU
Kyle Washington, Cincinnati
Updated: June 13, 2018
Rawle Alkins, Arizona
Jeffrey Carroll, Oklahoma State
Angel Delgado, Seton Hall
Kelan Martin, Butler
Brandon McCoy, UNLV
Kendrick Nunn, Oakland
Updated: June 12, 2018
Abdul-Malik Abu, NC State
Trevon Bluiett, Xavier
Kameron Chatman, Detroit
Manu Lecomte, Baylor
Marcus Lee, Cal
Matt Mobley, St. Bonaventure
Updated: June 9, 2018
Brian Bowen II, South Carolina
Jacob Evans, Cincinnati
Wenyen Gabriel, Kentucky
Tra Holder, Arizona State
Nick King, Middle Tennessee
Theo Pinson, North Carolina
Updated: June 5, 2018
Khadeen Carrington, Seton Hall
Gyorgy Goloman, UCLA
William Lee, UAB
William McDowell-White, Australia
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Kansas
Anfernee Simons, IMG Academy
Update: June 4, 2018
Marcus Derrickson, G, Georgetown
Matt Farrell, G, Notre Dame
Zach Lofton, F, New Mexico St.
Justin Johnson Jr., G, Western Kentucky
Daxter Miles, Jr., G, West Virginia
Tyler Nelson, F, Fairfield
Update: June 2, 2018
Alize Johnson, F, Missouri St.
Terry Larier, G, Connecticut
Jared Terrell, G, Rhode Island
Moritz Wagner, F, Michigan
Thomas Wilder, G, Western Michigan
Kenrich Williams, F, TCU
Update: May 31, 2018
Tony Carr, G, Penn State
Known as the Young Pope, Tony Carr broke out as one of the best guards in the Big Ten last season, averaging 19.6 points, 5.0 assists and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from range. Carr isn’t athletic, has his limitations defensively and finishing at the rim, but is a scorer that will likely be a mid-second round pick
Devonte Graham, G, Kansas
Kansas’ latest four-year point guard, Devonte Graham fits the mold of those before him. Graham led the Jayhawks to the Final Four past Duke, averaging 17.3 points, 7.2 assists and shot 40 percent from both the field and three-point territory and 82 percent from the line. Graham should be a mid-to-late second round pick with his solid all-around game.
Josh Okogie, G, Georgia Tech
One of the risers since the end of the season, Josh Okogie averaged 18.2 points and 6.3 rebounds at Georgia Tech while shooting 41.6 percent from the field, 38 percent from three and 82.1 percent at the line. Okogie is a high-usage player who averaged less than three assists per game while having an assist-to-turnover of 1:1.
Billy Preston, G, Kansas
Billy Preston was part of the NCAA/FBI crackdown on athletes who receive pay for accept impermissible benefits after being exploited for their services. Preston was a five-star prospect who played in the McDonald’s All-American game. He spent some time overseas playing professionally after being ruled ineligible at Kansas. Preston is a long-term project who could spend another season overseas or in the G-League.
Landry Shamet, G, Wichita St.
Landry Shamet is a first-round target that our own Mike Garcia broke down.
Johnathan Williams, F, Gonzaga
A four-year forward who spent two years at Gonzaga and Missouri, Williams is an old-school forward who averaged 13.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and attempted one three-pointer per game in his career while shooting just 33 percent from range. Williams is projected to go undrafted.
Update: May 29, 2018
Jaylen Adams, G, St. Bonaventure
An undersized guard out of St. Bonaventure, Adams is a pure scorer who filled it up in college, averaging 17.4 points for his career with the Bonnies. Adams shot 43.6 percent from three as a senior and was a 39.4 shooter for his career. However, at 6’1″ and with an average of over three turnovers per game, Adams’ draft status sees him projected to undrafted.
LiAngelo Ball, F, Lonzo’s brother
No.
Tyus Battle, F, Syracuse
Battle announced on Wednesday he would be returning to Syracuse.
Devon Hall, G, Virginia
A 6’5″ guard out of Virginia, Devon Hall is ranked 50th in DraftExpress’ most-recent big board. Hall averaged 11.7 points for the Cavaliers, which is something closer to 20 points on teams that actually run an offense at a real pace. His three-point shooting saw a huge boost in his senior year as he hit 43.2 percent from distance after shooting 33.3 percent as a freshman and sophomore and 37 percent as a junior.
Dusan Ristic, C, Arizona
In a program as targeted by the FBI probe as any this season, Dusan Ristic started every game for the Wildcats, averaging 12.2 points, 6.9 (nice) rebounds and shot 56.9 percent from the field while attempting 15 threes on the year, doubling his career total. Ristic is currently expected to go undrafted.
Thomas Welsh, F, UCLA
After having a breakout season next to Lonzo Ball as a junior, Thomas Welsh averaged 12.6 points and 10.8 rebounds this year as a senior. Welsh developed an outside shot as a senior, shooting 40.2 percent from range in 112 attempts after attempting just one three in the three seasons prior. However, Welsh is expected to undrafted.
Update: May 25, 2018
Grayson Allen, G, Duke
A player we recently profiled, Grayson Allen is a combo guard who is a polished scorer that has some concerns defensively.
Allerik Freeman, G, NC State
A four-year guard, Allerik Freeman spent last season at NC State after transferring as a grad student from Baylor after three seasons. Freeman had a career year at NC State, averaging 16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and shooting 38.6 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from three and 77.6 percent from the line. He’s a smaller guard who had a nearly 1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, one of a handful of reasons he’ll likely go undrafted.
Kevin Huerter, G, Maryland
In terms of 3-and-D players, Kevin Huerter is as stereotypical as they come. The 6’7″ forward shot 50.3 percent from the field, 41.7 percent from the arc and 75.8 percent from the line in averaging 14.8 points for the Terrapins last season. Huerter would provide the Lakers with much-needed wing depth and spacing. Currently, Huerter is seen as a late first or early second round prospect
Arnoldas Kulboka, F, Lithuania
Considered one of the better pure shooters in Europe, Arnoldas Kulboka spent last season playing for Betaland Capo d’Orlando in Italy. Kulboka averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and shot 36.6 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from behind the arc. If drafted, it’s likely he would be a draft-and-stash prospect. For an in-depth breakdown, check out his NBADraft.net profile.
Matur Maker, C, Mississauga Prep
The younger son….err brother of Thon Maker, Matur Maker is hardly the prospect Thon is or was. Maker spent last year at a prep academy in Canada but was considered a four-star prospect. Full season stats are hard to come by, but in February 2018, Maker was averaging 25.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.7 steals on the season. The 6’9″ big man is likely to be an undrafted player
Bryant McIntosh, G, Northwestern
A four-year guard out of southern Indiana, Bryant McIntosh is a guard who can score and create, but is also a defensive liability. As a senior, McIntosh averaged 11.8 points, 5.1 assists and shot 38.8 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three and 84.5 percent from the line. He will likely go undrafted.
Update: May 23, 2018
Kostas Antetokounmpo, F, Dayton
Don’t let the name fool you. Yes, Kostas Antetokounmpo is the younger brother of Giannis (shocker given how common the name is) but he is not the prospect his older brother is. Kostas is 20 years old and just completed his redshirt freshman season at Dayton where he averaged 5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists while shooting 57.4 percent from the field. He’s only attempted 15 three-pointers and made two of them. He was invited to the Draft Combine almost entirely based on his name, but he’s a long, long way from a finished product without as much of the physical freakness of Giannis, which is why he slides in at 75 on DraftExpress’ big board.
Elijah Bryant, G, BYU
A 6’4″ guard out of BYU, Elijah Bryant led the Cougars in scoring this season averaging 18.2 points. Bryant also averaged 6.3 rebounds, shot 49.4 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from behind the arc. Bryant is projected to go undrafted, though.
Jevon Carter, G, West Virginia
One of the best defensive guards in the country, Jevon Carter will be either a late first or early second-round draft pick. Carter averaged 17.3 points, 6.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds. Carter shot 42.2 percent from the field, 39.3 percent three-point territory and 85.8 from the line. However, his strength came in his 3.0 steals per game as he was a nuisance on that end of the court, which makes up for his 6’4″ wingspan.
Trey Kell, G, SDSU
A combo forward, Trey Kell did a bit of everything for San Diego State University. Kell averaged 10.5 points 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals, but shot just 38.4 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from the arc. Kell did help the Aztecs upset Nevada in the conference tournament with 11 points, five rebounds and five assists, a common line for Kell.
Omari Spellman, F, Villanova
As part of the national championship-winning Villanova side, Omari Spellman averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and shot 43.3 percent from behind the three-point line as a 6’9″ (nice) forward. Spellman is ranked 49th in DraftExpress’ big board. However, Spellman’s combine measurements weren’t generous as he measured 13.75 percent body fat, second-highest to only Jontay Porter. His 7’2″ wingspan does make him enticing, but he’ll be a project of sorts.
Gary Trent Jr., G, Duke
One of the handful of draft profiles we have done so far at Lakers Outsiders, Gary Trent Jr. projects to be a potential 3-and-D player with marksman range and tantalizing length.
Update: May 22, 2018
Emmett Naar, G, St. Mary’s
A guard from St. Mary’s, Emmett Naar was a four-year player for the Gaels and a three-year starter. Naar averaged less than 10 points in three of his four seasons, but as a point guard was a distributor, averaging 7.9 assists in his senior season and 6.0 for his career. As a 39.7 percent shooter from three-point range, Naar was a floor-spacer in the backcourt. However, at 6’1″, he’s undersized and projected to go undrafted currently.
Barry Brown, Jr., G, Kansas State
In the Kansas State backcourt last season, Barry Brown Jr. was a key contributor, averaging 15.9 points, 3.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds for a Wildcat team that made the Elite Eight. At 6’3″, Brown Jr. is undersized for a guard that shot just 31.8 percent from three last season and 32.7 percent for his career. Brown Jr. is currently expected to go undrafted.
Fletcher Magee, G, Wofford
Aside from the fact that Fletcher Magee is the perfect name for a Wofford player, Magee was one of the top scorers in mid-majors last season at 22.1 points per game. Magee was a deadeye shooter last season, hitting 43.9 percent from beyond the arc. Having averaged just 1.7 assists and standing at 6’4″, Magee is undersized and, thus, expected to go undrafted.
Gabe DeVoe, G, Clemson
A four-year contributor for Clemson, Gabe DeVoe exploded in his senior season, doubling his point per game average (14.2) while upping his rebounding average (4.7) and assist totals (2.1). DeVoe also shot a career-best 39.6 percent from beyond the arc and hit twice as many threes (86) as he did the season prior. Across the board, he had a breakout season. However, he’s still a 6’3″ guard who doesn’t handle the ball well – nearly 1/1 assist to turnover ratio – and is expected to go undrafted.
Duncan Robinson, F, Michigan
The name casual fans might be most familiar with, Duncan Robinson was apart of the Michigan team that made it to the national championship game before falling to Villanova. As a 6’8″ senior, Robinson averaged 9.2 points per game and hit 38.4 percent from three-point range. However, as a 6’8″ big man who likely can’t play as a smallball five, Robinson is likely to go undrafted.
Obi Enechionyia, F, Temple
A three-year starter for Temple, Obi Enechionyia (say that three times fast) is a 6’8″ forward who shot 35 percent from three-point range as a senior, a dip from the 38.5 percent he shot as a junior and 38.6 percent he shot as a sophomore. Enechionyia averaged 10.8 points as a senior, again a dip in his production from previous seasons. Enechionyia is expected to go undrafted.
Update: May 21, 2018
Jordan Barnett, F, Missouri
A 6’6″ wing from Missouri, Jordan Barnett is a sharpshooter that played next to Michael and Jontay Porter last season. In 6.2 attempts per game, Barnett connected on 41.4 percent of his attempts and averaged 13.7 points per contest. Barnett also grabbed 5.9 rebounds. Barnett will likely go undrafted.
Drew Eubanks, C, Oregon State
A big man who played for the Beavers last season, Drew Eubanks is another likely undrafted prospect. Last season, the 6’10” center averaged 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in 31.3 minutes. Eubanks is not a stretch big and only averaged 1.7 blocks per game.
Jock Landale, C, St. Mary’s
Another big man, Jock Landale is a high-usage, high-efficiency big man. Landale shot 64 percent from the field and averaged 21.1 points and 10.2 rebounds this season, leading St. Mary’s to a 30-6 record. However, at 6’11” and 255 pounds and having only attempted 10 three-pointers last season and 29 in his career, the outlook for Landale is that as an undrafted free agent.
Daryl Macon, G, Arkansas
An undersized guard, Daryl Macon was an impressive scorer for Arkansas last season. Macon averaged 16.8 points and hit 42.1 percent of his 202 three-point attempts last season. However, at 6’3″ with only 3.9 assists per game and 1.0 steals, Macon is projected to go undrafted.
Jordan Caroline, F, Nevada
While not expected to be drafted, Jordan Caroline’s physical tools make him an intriguing prospect. Caroline has not played at his natural position much in his college career, playing as a severely undersized center last year for a Nevada team without much depth in the frontcourt. Nevertheless, Caroline has impressed with his production, averaging 17.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season. Caroline doesn’t do anything exceptionally well but he is a jack of all trades. He is a serviceable college three-point shooter (32 percent on three attempts per game), a decent passer (12 percent assist rate), and good perimeter defender. What Caroline will always bring, however, is tenacity and toughness, hitting the glass despite his smaller size and banging with bigger bodies. He is known for his exceptional work ethic at Nevada and has been a catalyst for many huge comeback performances from the Wolf Pack. His play in the second halves of games against Cincinnati and Texas (where he primarily matched up against potential lottery pick Mo Bamba) were large reasons why Nevada made an unlikely Sweet Sixteen run. Caroline is expected to return to school for his senior season but in the event that he doesn’t, he could become a valuable asset as a high-energy, transition-heavy player for the Lakers.
Shamorie Ponds, G, St. John’s
The only potential draftee of the group, Shamorie Ponds is currently ranked 61st on DraftExpress’ big board. Last season, he averaged 21.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists. There are many concerns on his shot-making as he hit just 25.3 percent of his three-pointers last season and is a career 31.6 percent three-point shooter. However, his 2.3 steals and his all-around scoring ability are what has him at the tail end of big boards.
Update: May 9, 2018
Shake Milton, G, SMU
As a 6-6 guard, Shake Milton is a versatile player on both ends of the floor. With the ability to run an offense as well as work off the ball on offense and guard multiple positions well defensively, Milton has tools the current NBA craves. He was one of the best catch and shoot players in all of college basketball last year and shot 42.7 percent from deep over his three years at SMU. In his junior season, Milton averaged 18 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, while boasting one of the highest plus-minus ratings in the country. He is believed to be an option for the Lakers with their first-round pick.
Allonzo Trier, G, Arizona
In his junior season at Arizona, Allonzo Trier was the second leading scorer behind the potential top pick in the draft, DeAndre Ayton. Trier was able to regain some of his stock last season after missing 19 games the prior year due to testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Trier averaged 18.1 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per contest while being a consistent threat from three-point range. The 22-year old may receive interest from the Lakers with their second-round pick.
Lindell Wigginton, G, Iowa State
Lindell Wigginton, who checks in as a 6-2 point guard, is an explosive athlete with the ability to be a one-man fastbreak. In his freshman year at Iowa State, Wigginton led the Cyclones in scoring. Much of Wigginton’s offensive success this year due to his ability to hit shots from behind the arch. On the season, he averaged 16.7 points on 41.4 percent shooting from the field and 40.1 percent from deep. The 20-year old has yet to hire an agent but if he stays in the draft he could be an undrafted free agent target for the purple and gold.
DJ Hogg, F, Texas A&M
Hogg’s main skill is shooting, something that the Lakers needed desperately last season. The 6-9 forward only averaged 11.1 points per game last season as a junior but shot nearly 38 percent from three. His overall efficiency was more lackluster as he shot only 41 percent from the field. It’s worth noting that Hogg attempted 290 total field goal attempts, 172 of which were from behind the arc.
Cody Martin, G/F, Nevada
After working out Caleb Martin on Monday, the Lakers invited his twin brother Cody to a workout of his own. While the two Wolf Pack stars look identical, their games are entirely different. Caleb’s go-to is his scoring while Cody flashed his versatility and all-around game in his first season at Nevada. Martin stuffed the box score last year averaging 14 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. While his shooting from range is lackluster (29.4 percent) Martin was an efficient scorer, hitting 51.6 percent of his field goal attempts. Arguably the best two-way player on a Sweet Sixteen team, Martin played all five positions for Nevada, truly showing his potential when he filled in at the point guard position when starter Lindsey Drew tore his Achilles. Martin is currently expected to go undrafted if he does not return to school.
Chimezie Metu, F, USC
Ranked as the 57th best prospect on Tankathon’s big board, Metu could be a candidate for the Lakers’ second-round pick or a potential undrafted free agent. The 6-11 big man averaged 15.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game at USC last season while contributing defensively with 1.7 blocks per contest. At 21 years old, Metu is not a high-potential athlete but he could contribute right away with his energy and pick-and-roll play.
Update: May 7, 2018
Keita Bates-Diop, F, Ohio State
In his senior season at Ohio State, Keita Bates-Diop was among the best players in the nation, earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors as well as being one of the finalists for the John Wooden Award. With the potential to score from the post, in isolation, and on catch and shoot opportunities, the 22-year old has a tremendous feel for the game. At 6-7 with a 7-4 wingspan, KBD’s length allows him to be a difference maker on both the defensive end and on the boards. In 34 games, Bates-Diop averaged 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds while shooting 48% from the field and 35.9% from three. DraftExpress has him rated 18th on their big board making him a candidate for the Lakers in the first round.
Caleb Martin, F, Nevada
Martin is not a big name among most college basketball fans, playing his most recent ball at Nevada in the Mountain West. Regardless, the 6-7 forward proved on the national stage that he could have a spot in the league. Martin’s strength is his scoring, averaging 18.9 points per game as the first option on a high-scoring Wolf Pack team. Martin shot 45.4 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from three (59 true shooting percentage) to stay efficient despite his high workload. Additionally, Martin used his length and agility to play solid defense (and grab 5.4 rebounds per game) en route to winning Mountain West Player of the Year and helping to lead the Wolf Pack to just its second-ever Sweet Sixteen appearance. At 22 years old and ranked 100th on the DraftExpress big board, the NC State transfer is likely to go undrafted if he keeps his name in the draft instead of returning for his senior season, giving the Lakers the ability to sign him for camp and see if he has what it takes to make it in the NBA.
Udoka Azubuike, C, Kansas
In a breakout season, Kansas big man Udoka Azubuike put himself on the map by averaging 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds on 77 percent field goal shooting. At a hard-to-miss 7’0 tall and 280 pounds, Azubuike is an imposing figure that resembles a big man of the league’s past. Currently, he is projected to go undrafted.
Jalen Hudson, G, Florida
A 6’5″ guard out of Florida, Jalen Hudson is a sharp-shooter that connected on 40.2 percent of his nearly six three-point attempts per game last season. Overall, the junior, who played two seasons at Virginia Tech before transferring to Gainsville, averaged 15.5 points and had 3.9 rebounds per contest. Hudson is considered a second-round pick, though he has signed without an agent and may return to school.
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., F, Baylor
In his second season in Division I, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. put up an impressive 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds in 31 minutes per game. Lual Acuil Jr. has a pretty amazing story with his parents traveling from South Sudan to see him play for the first time last season.
Update: May 3, 2018
Sedrick Barefield, PG, Utah
In 32 games (24 starts) for Utah last year Sedrick Barefield averaged 12 points on 40.1 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent from three. Barefield is a 21-year old point guard that would be an undrafted free agent candidate if he stays in the draft. However, he hasn’t hired an agent yet so he could return to Utah for his senior season.
Hayden Dalton, F, Wyoming
As a junior at Wyoming, Dalton was able to show the ability to score from all three levels on his way towards averaging 17.7 points per game. As a 6-8 forward, Dalton’s talent for stretching the floor, as he shot 40.3 percent from deep on 6.4 attempts per game, could make him an intriguing option in the late second round or as an undrafted free agent.
Marcus Foster, G, Creighton
Over the last two seasons, Marcus Foster has proven to be on of the Big East’s best players. In his senior season, he averaged 19.8 points per game on 48.3 percent from the floor and 41.3 percent from three. Foster makes for an interesting undrafted free agent option at the guard spot.
Deng Adel, F, Louisville
After entertaining the idea of entering the draft last year, Deng Adel decided to return for his senior season. The 6-7 forward saw an uptick in scoring as he posted 15 points per game and increased his rebounding to 5.2 per game. However, Adel’s draft stock took a hit this season which would make him only a late second round/undrafted free agent player.
Anas Mahmoud, C, Louisville
The soon-to-be 23-year old comes in at 7-0, 215 lbs and has a high motor and potential as a rim protector but his tools offensively are limited. In his senior season, Mahmoud averaged 6.8 points per game on 55.8 percent shooting from the floor. He also added 2.9 blocks per game in just over 23 minutes played. Mahmoud is projected to go in the late second round to undrafted.
Ethan Happ, F, Wisconsin
In his junior year at Wisconsin, Happ was one of the better players in the Big Ten. He showed the skill to score efficiently and his high IQ as a passer for his size. In 30 minutes a night, Happ averaged 17.9 points, 8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 52.8 percent from the floor. It is yet to be seen if he will stay in the draft as he has not hired an agent and projects to be a late second round pick but could possibly go undrafted.
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