If Clarkson was a bust, would you still draft Okafor/Towns?

[ringfinger]

Was listening to the radio yesterday and Max and Marcellus was on and they were going through all kinds of draft scenarios for the Lakers. I thought Max brought up an interesting point in that we might be able to sign a big and draft a small. I'm a believer in Clarkson, but, you just never know.

So, here's my question for you guys. Is Okafor/Towns the consensus pick for us because of Clarkson's emergence? Or would you draft one of those two guys regardless?

If Clarkson was a "bust" let's say (or you can assume we just didn't even have him at all), how would your draft selection change, if at all? Assume the more desirable of Okafor/Towns for you was drafted by MIN.

There's always the option of going after a Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan or Tyson Chandler to shore up the front court with Randall and drafting D'Angelo Russell instead.

I'm just curious if Okafor is the consensus #2 assuming MIN drafts KAT, is that because he is the BPA or because we feel we have a need met at the PG spot in Clarkson?

[Chronicle]

I don't think players outside of the lottery can be called busts. It's a bust because it was a wasted lotto pick.

That being said, I see Okafor and Towns on a different tier than all the other players. Russell is an LG favorite, but I would easily take Cauley-Stein over him, let alone Okafor/Towns.

And NOT drafting a big because you MAY be able to sign a big in FA is a really stupid decision. It is very much a possibility that the bigs we target stay with their teams or go to teams other than the Lakers. We shouldn't take such a risk.
_________________
Kobe

[LandsbergerRules]

BPA at the highest levels, regardless of needs.
_________________
"Chick lived and breathed Lakers basketball…but he was also fair and objective and called every game the way it was played."
-from Chick: His Unpublished Memoirs and the Memories of Those Who Knew Him

[LakerDynasty6.0]

forgetting clarkson for a moment, imho we draft the "other" big, because i see them both (bigs) better suited for the Lakers team needs (and cap structure) than Russell.

I don't quite know enough about Mudiay
_________________
Starting Lakers Dynasty6.0! NOW!!
------
....." each year in Lakerland is marked by four seasons: Kobe’s Mad at His Teammates; Kobe’s Shooting Too Much; Kobe Leads the Victory Parade; Kobe Receives His Championship Ring."

[activeverb]

[yinoma2001]

Clarkson should not factor one iota into the current draft situation. If you like Russ, get him. Same with the other options.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[Wilkes52]

[rockyp]

Clarkson doesn't factor regardless because we're going after Westbrook when he's available

[pmacla]

[KobeBryantCliffordBrown]

You draft the best player available. Period.
_________________
“It took many years of vomiting up all the filth I’d been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able to walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here.”
― James Baldwin, Collected Essays

[Four Decade Bandwagon]

IMO Okafor and Towns are the two best prospects. Not because of the Lakers need but because of their talent. Both look like they will be impact players in the League. I prefer Towns but Okafor is a close second.

Clarkson's surprise development may have an influence but not my ultimate deciding factor. I do not see Clarkson as the next PG star like Paul , Curry or Wall. Just a tough solid contributor. Hopefully an impact starter more in the role of Teague or George Hill.

I am not as enthusiastic on Russell as some. Every time I watched one of his games it seemed the other G was making the bigger impact. Some of the stats being posted on Russell's lackluster performances in the big games seems to prove the eye test.

I assume Russell and Mudiay will be good players. I am just more impressed with the two bigs. Honestly I would probably take Winslow over the PGs.

I acknowledge some of that is my own bias because I have little info on Mudiay. His highlight reels from China are not much to go on for me.

[Truck Turner]

[J.C. Smith]

Clarkson or not, its a lot harder to get a good big man than a good guard. Okafor and Towns are two top notch big men with franchise player potential. That's not to take anything from Russell, he looks like a very good prospect. But this is not a Jordan vs. Bowie and Olajuwon situation. Russel isn't that kind of athlete, and neither Okafor or Towns has has the injury history of Bowie. Good guards are easier to find than good bigs, all things being equal you take the size.

[Lakers2015]

[Kava]

[exempt]

yes, I think Okafor or Towns would be BPA for the Lakers

[Omar Little]

I don't understand the question. Towns and okafor are the consensus top two across the league because clarkson played well for LA?

[Gatekeeper]

[tlim]

I think the question boils down to, if our guard situation is miserable, would you rather pick for position or pick for talent? I'd pick for talent, which is T or O.

[RCS926]

[Rivershow]

I don't think Clarkson is on the mind of most people who are picking one of the bigs. Towns and Okafor are just the two best players in the draft. If Russell had elite athleticism then there may be an argument in taking him over one of the bigs. But he doesn't have that.

[Fastbreak32]

My selection wouldn't change. I'm drafting BPA. I'm leaning towards Okafor/Towns, but if Russell is the BPA, then I have no problems drafting him. Then I'd attempt to sign a FA, partly based on my draft choice. I know it's a long shot, but I really do want to see if we can steal away RFA's like Leonard or Butler. If we draft Russell, I'd consider M. Gasol or Jordan.
_________________
LeBron, AD, & _________. Stay tuned.

"...there was a time when the Israelites were wandering in the desert and all of a sudden, bread came down from heaven,” Pelinka said. “That’s kind of what today feels like for us to have KCP join.”

[NVD]

[ringfinger]

[ringfinger]