The 2019 NBA Draft is just nine days away and while it’s unclear whether or not the Lakers will be picking for themselves or another team, they will be making the fourth selection at the Barclays Center on June 20.
After Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and RJ Barrett, there is no clear-cut best player in the draft, but some believe the Lakers already have an idea as to who they’d select if they kept their pick. According to Jemery Woo of Sports Illustrated, the expectation is that Los Angeles will draft Vanderbilt guard Darius Garland if they don’t trade their pick:
Garland still isn’t fully healthy after tearing his meniscus in the fall, but is clearly one of the more promising shot creators in the draft and fits well next to Lonzo Ball. If L.A. keeps this pick, Garland is thought by many around the league to be their preference.
Garland is one of the bigger question marks at the top of the draft because he only appeared in five games for Vanderbilt before tearing his meniscus, but he’s an intriguing prospect because of his theoretical upside as a three-level scorer at the point guard position.
If the Lakers are unable to reach a deal for Anthony Davis before on draft night, Garland would be a fine consolation prize.
