The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to strike gold once again picking late in the first-round of the NBA draft. According to ESPN, Lakers took Michigan star Moritz Wagner with pick No. 25. Despite taking Wagner a bit high, it could prove to be a solid selection over time.
Fans of the Los Angeles Lakers were hoping for a blockbuster NBA trade bringing Kawhi Leonard to the team.
According to NBA.com, the Lakers tried to engage in trade talks with the San Antonio Spurs, but they were rebuffed on their trade overtures. Instead of getting Kawhi Leonard, those fans were treated to the Los Angeles Lakers going with a versatility in their frontcourt with Moritz Wagner.
Wagner will bring a combination of perimeter shooting, rebounding, and athleticism to the Los Angeles Lakers. Wagner also has a solid post game where he can draw double-teams and pass the basketball out to open shooters when he is in the paint.
While he is not the box office star that Lakers' fans clamor for, Wagner should have a solid professional career as a rotational player. He does not project to be a starter at this point for the Lakers.
If Moritz Wagner does wind up in the Lakers' starting lineup next season, it would signal that the rest of their offseason plans did not come to fruition. The Lakers' offseason plans includes making a run at NBA free agent-to-be LeBron James.
