When the Lakers brand new practice facility opens after next season, the organization may want to feature a ping-pong table.
Thanks to a certain combination of ping-pong balls, the Lakers now hold the rights to the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
There were an abundance of nerves emanating through GM Mitch Kupchak, representing the franchise in New York City’s Draft Lottery on Tuesday evening. He was well aware that L.A. had a 55.8% chance to keep the pick, and the opposite 44.2% chance that it would go to Philadelphia if it fell out of the top three.
But the entire lottery went chalk, with nobody moving up or down, which suits the Lakers extremely well.
They now have the chance to add an elite player to a young, talented roster that will feature the No. 2 overall selection for the 2nd straight season.
Philly still holds the rights to a Lakers lottery pick, which will again be top 3 protected next season. L.A. moved that pick back in 2012 to Phoenix to acquire Steve Nash, the Suns in turn flipping the pick to Philadelphia. The pick had various lottery protections upon it, which this year were at just Top 3.
The 2014 Draft delivered Julius Randle to Los Angeles at No. 7, and 2015 brought D’Angelo Russell at No. 2.
What will 2016 bring?
Lakers.com will spend the next month and change leading up to June 23rd’s Draft exploring that question, not just for the No. 2 pick, but also for the No. 32 overall pick. Jordan Clarkson was found at No. 46, and Larry Nance, Jr. at 27, so that pick is nothing to scoff at.
It was, indeed, a good day in L.A.
