Leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft, we will update our Los Angeles Lakers Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Los Angeles Lakers from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Lakers:
NBA Draft Room, Updated: 6/17
29. Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky
A compact, score first combo guard who can light it up from downtown. He fell off a bit after a hot start and struggled with consistency and efficiency. Still, he's a lights-out shooter who should benefit from the space in the NBA game.
The Rookie Wire, Updated: 6/16
29. Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky
Tyrese Maxey is an impressive athlete who plays bigger than his 6-foot-3 frame, thanks to his 6-foot-6 wingspan. The offense often ran through him at Kentucky, and he averaged 0.93 points per possession as the ball handler in pick-and-roll sets -- which ranked in the 86th percentile among NCAA players. He also has an above-average floater, which he hit at an impressive rate. But his lack of an elite skill specialty could see him fall a bit in the draft. However, considering he is the only known top prospect to have signed with the Klutch Sports Group (the agency that represents Los Angeles superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis), it is difficult to imagine Maxey slipping past the Lakers.
College Basketball Talk, Updated: 6/15
29. Cassius Winston, Michigan State
Winston did not have the season many of us expected him to have as a senior -- understandably, given the death of his brother in November -- but he still put up All-American numbers for a team that won a share of the Big Ten regular season title. He was playing his best basketball down the stretch, and he still have the highest basketball IQ of anyone in this 2020 NBA mock draft. He's an elite passer and shooter that thrives in ball-screens. Yes, the defense and athleticism are concerns, but we said the same thing about numerous point guards that have made careers out of being backup point guards. Winston is the next in that pipeline.
CBS Sports - Parrish, Updated: 6/15
29. Cassius Winston, Michigan State
Cassius Winston is perceived to be limited because he's small and not the best athlete. He'll never measure or test great -- and that'll turn some franchises away. But he's smart, great in pick-and-roll situations and someone who has proven to be a high-level shooter in all four years of college by making 43.0% of the 602 3-pointers he attempted in his four-year college career. Teams picking in this range are often good teams already winning in search of a piece who can maybe help immediately. And Winston is somebody who could probably help an NBA team immediately serving as a backup point guard and knockdown shooter.
Cleveland.com - Goul, Updated: 6/15
29. Cassius Winston, Michigan State
Winston's shooting polish and proven play in the pick-and-roll makes him an attractive addition to a Lakers lineup that will usually see LeBron James handling the basketball.
CBS Sports - Boone, Updated: 6/11
29. Nico Mannion, Arizona
Nico Mannion's ability to generate offense and his innate instincts as a floor general are what make him such an intriguing long-term prospect. His 3-point stroke, lack of athletic pop and defensive inefficiencies are why he may fall. The Lakers could make use of the good and deal with the bad, though, and considering Rajon Rondo's managed to stick in LA for two seasons, Mannion has a shot to survive.
SI.com - Woo, Updated: 6/3
29. Malachi Flynn, San Diego State
The more you watch Flynn, the more you appreciate him, and at this point I'd be a little surprised if he made it out of the Top 40 given the degree of respect he's getting from scouts. He was the primary reason the Aztecs had such a strong season and frequently makes positive decisions on the ball, which coupled with some scoring punch and toughness makes him a relatively high-floor player with a chance to end up as a strong NBA backup. If the Lakers make this pick, they'd be justified looking for immediate depth, and Flynn fits the mold here as far as guards are concerned.
Yahoo Sports - Peek, Updated: 5/21
29. Zeke Nnaji, Arizona
Nnaji grew two inches from his senior year in high school to now. He has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and great hands for a player his size. The first game of the season he scored 20 points in 20 minutes -- the most points scored by a freshman in the Sean Miller era (more than former No. 1 pick DeAndre Ayton, Derrick Williams and Lauri Markkanen).
More 2020 team-by-team NBA mock draft roundups:
- Boston Celtics Mock Draft Roundup
- Philadelphia 76ers Mock Draft Roundup
- New York Knicks Mock Draft Roundup
- Golden State Warriors Mock Draft Roundup
- 2021 NFL Mock Draft
- 2022 NFL Mock Draft
- 2020 NBA Mock Draft
- Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Football Mock Drafts
- Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule (SOS)
