Lakers Rumors: Latest Buzz on Jahlil Okafor and Robert Sacre’s Return

The Lakers head into this offseason at perhaps the franchise's nadir. Their front office has mangled nearly every decision since the beginning of the Dwight Howard era, starting with its treatment of Howard himself and continuing on down the line.

The Kobe Bryant contract. Hiring Byron Scott. The ill-fated attempts at superstars and refusal to look around the league to find bargains. We could sit here and list at least a dozen individual moves that resulted in the Lakers setting a franchise record for losses.

But that wouldn't accomplish anything. The Lakers for the first time in 24 months have reason to celebrate. Their lottery luck will give them the opportunity to land a potential building block at No. 2, where they are widely expected to choose the leftover between Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns. 

Which player of the two do they prefer? And is there another big man heading back to Los Angeles? Let's check out the rumor mill and find out.

 

Lakers 'Locked In' on Okafor at No. 2

The Lakers have done their best to hide their intentions with the second pick. They've done their due diligence, bringing in D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay for workouts. The two young point guards even got a free dinner out of the deal. But both players better hope they got their most out of the free trip to Los Angeles because they won't be settling there for their pro careers.

As Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated notes, the Lakers are "locked in" to selecting Okafor with the second pick. Things could change if Minnesota switches its plans and takes Okafor No. 1—in that case I'd fully expect the Lakers to take Towns—but the draft's top two appear set in stone.

I've had Russell ahead of Okafor on my board since May, but the Lakers' thought process is sound. Okafor spent most of the college regular season atop every draft board. He was (correctly) vie...