For months, there have been rumors that the Los Angeles Lakers will be aggressive during the 2024 NBA Draft in an effort to improve their roster. One thing they may look to do is dangle up to three first-round picks in front of another team in order to get it to part with a star guard such as Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young or Dejounte Murray.
Another option Los Angeles has is to move up from the No. 17 pick in order to nab a prospect who it feels could become a difference-maker. If such a move yields the right player, it could be a very prudent one, especially given that the NBA’s salary cap has become even more restrictive, placing even more of a premium on drafting well.
If L.A. does move up in the draft, which starts on Wednesday, it reportedly has two specific prospects in mind.
Via Los Angeles Times:
“Some rival executives believe the Lakers could be aggressive in moving up in the first round,” wrote Dan Woike. “Two players they like, Providence’s Devin Carter and Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter, are expected to be picked ahead of No. 17.”
Carter is a 6-foot-2 guard who has a wingspan of over 6-foot-8 and is very aggressive, especially when it comes to taking the ball to the basket and guarding opposing point guards. He was also a very good rebounder in college, and that is an aspect of the game the Lakers badly need help with.
Walter, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, has a nice mid-range game and could have potential as an outside shooter. However, he shot just 37.6% from the field and 34.1% from 3-point range this season.