The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly are torn between Jahlil Okafor and D'Angelo Russell in the 2015 NBA draft. Neither prospect blew the Lakers away in their pre-draft workouts, according to ESPN's Chad Ford.
Two weeks ago it looked like Los Angeles would have the opportunity to select Karl-Anthony Towns, the team's purported favorite player in the upcoming draft. Last week that changed following reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves now favored Towns with the first overall pick, leaving Los Angeles to essentially decide between Okafor and Russell - the next two best players on the board - with its No. 2 pick.
According to Ford, however, the Lakers aren't sold on either player.
"It sounds as if the team is torn between Russell and Okafor at No. 2, assuming Towns is off the board," Ford wrote Monday. "Both players have worked out for Los Angeles. A Lakers source described both workouts as 'good, but neither blew us away.'"
It's difficult enough to see Los Angeles leaving Okafor on the board, let alone Towns as well. Los Angeles doesn't want what Kobe Bryant's supposed last season to be a dud, but the team isn't necessarily in "win now" mode either - especially not to the extent that it'd seriously consider trading the No. 2 pick for a proven veteran.
If Minnesota selects Towns, the Lakers likely will end up with Okafor or Russell. Other possibilities for Los Angeles - albeit each is a stretch for the No. 2 spot - include Emmanuel Mudiay, Kristaps Prozingis, Justise Winslow and Willie Cauley-Stein.
The draft is on Thursday, June 25.
