According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports, the Lakers are attempting to move into the first round of next week's draft. Even if Amico is off base in his report, Los Angeles should make it a reality.
"Lakers 'making real push' to get into the first round of the NBA Draft, says Eastern Conference executive," Amico tweeted. "Word is they like the Baylor guys: Perry Jones and Quincy Miller."
As it currently stands, the Lakers hold the No. 60 overall pick—or the last in the second round. Still, a move into the first round—especially if the Lakers are targeting Jones or Miller—wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.
Chad Ford of ESPN has Jones going No. 19 to the Orlando Magic and Miller at 30 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in his latest mock draft. NBADraft.net has Jones at No. 21 to the Boston Celtics and Miller at 27 to the Miami Heat.
Moving into that 20-25 range shouldn't take a major trade package from the Lakers' side.
However, getting either Jones or Miller could help solve the Lakers' lack of athleticism on the wing—a deficiency that Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder exposed time and time again in the Western Conference semifinals.
Jones, a 6'11" power forward, might have as high a ceiling as any player in this draft. He's long, athletic and can jump out of the building. However, he was passive at times at Baylor, and the production he provided in college simply didn't match up with his overwhelming skill set.
The Lakers could use Jones as Lamar Odom 2.0, a second-unit player that can play several positions and could be used with the starters when Los Angeles wanted to go big. Jones would certainly need some refining to get to Odom's level, but that possibility exists.
Miller is a similar player at 6'10...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
