The annual SB Nation mock draft saw the Lakers draft a 3-and-D wing in Tristan da Silva that can contribute from day one for the team.
As has been tradition with SB Nation, the week of the draft means a site-wide mock 2024 NBA mock draft, in which each site selects a player for their respective teams.
While it once seemed like the Lakers would trade away their draft picks for a superstar, the noise has nearly completely silenced on that front. Given vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka’s comments at JJ Redick’s introductory press conference on Monday, it sounds like the team is going to focus on drafting and developing players.
Which brings us to Wednesday and Thursday’s mock draft. Trades were not allowed in this draft anyway, so that made the decision pretty easy. Here’s who the Lakers selected.
The Lakers have a handful of ways they could go in the draft, whether it be drafting a big or a wing. While I lean toward taking a big in this spot, I think the Lakers would lean toward best player available, as has long been their approach. And by most accounts, the best player available was Tristan da Silva.
He’s a wing who can step in and contribute from day one, whether through his 3-point shooting or his defense. He’s a versatile scorer who can bring offense to a team that didn’t have much of it from its non-starters in the playoffs last year.
At the same time, he can more than hold his own on the defensive end, which would also allow him to get playing time.
There is no such thing as too many 3-and-D wings. The Lakers could lose Taurean Prince to free agency, but drafting another wing is an easy and sensible move even if they don't.
Several players were available at this spot in the draft, and while it was enticing to go after a big like Kel’el Ware or potentially Zach Edey, da Silva is a prospect that has been a common pick for the Laker, and that’s because of how much sense he makes.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
