They traded both their 2008 and 2010 first-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in the deal for Pau Gasol. They no longer have first-round picks in 2011 and 2013, either. The highest they will draft this year is the 43rd overall pick, followed later by the 58th pick.
While they may luck out in the No. 43 slot, there is little hope of picking up anyone decent with that last pick.
What are their needs? Well, if you look at their roster and figure out who may be going, it is obvious they need a point guard. Both their starter, Derek Fisher, and his backup, Jordan Farmar, are unrestricted free agents.
While it is expected that the team will try to re-sign Fisher, they are apt not to get in a bidding war for Farmar, considering that the Lakers are well over the salary cap.
Also expected to leave are Josh Powell and D.J. Mbenga. That means the Lakers could use another large body as a backup center or power forward.
Who might be available at the No. 43 slot? Well, at point guard or shooting guard, here is the long and short of it.
Mikhail Torrance is a tall, 6-foot-5 guard from Alabama who averaged 15.6 points per game along with 5.1 assists. He has a 47 percent field goal average along with 35.8 percent on his three-point tries.
Despite the fact that 6-foot-1 Fisher and 6-foot tall Farmar have been mainstays at the position over the last three years, General Manager Mitch Kupchak favors taller guards.
So, Torrance is the long one. The short one is Jerome Randle, a senior out of Cal. Despite his diminutive size, Randle is one of the more impressive players likely to still be available deep into the second round. Randle aver...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
