Kentucky freshman Julius Randle may be in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform next season. The Lakers will select the Wildcats star with the sixth pick of the 2014 NBA draft, according to ESPN Insider Chad Ford's latest mock draft.
Ford released his updated mock draft on Wednesday. In it, the Lakers -- whose current record of 21-40 gives them a 7.5 percent chance of winning the NBA lottery -- choose the versatile forward as the No. 6 overall pick.
"Randle was considered one of the sure things in the draft at the beginning of the season but has struggled with consistency and constant double-teams," Ford wrote. "He'd be a great addition to the Lakers and perhaps the most NBA ready big man in the draft."
Randle, who's 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, is averaging 15.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game with Kentucky.
With Lakers guards Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash unlikely to return this season, the Lakers' chances of losing more games and earning a higher lottery pick increase.
Ford's Top 8 Picks:
1. Joel Embiid (Kansas, C) to Milwaukee.
2. Andrew Wiggins (Kansas, SG) to Philadelphia.
3. Dante Exum (Australia, PG) to Orlando.
4. Jabari Parker (Duke, SF) to Boston.
5. Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State, PG) to Denver.
6. Julius Randle (Kentucky, PF) to Los Angeles Lakers.
7. Aaron Gordon (Arizona, F) to Utah.
8. Tyler Ennis (Syracuse, PG) to Sacramento.
The lottery order will officially be drawn on May 20, and the draft will be held on June 26.
NOTE: Draft order determined by each team's percentage-chance of winning the draft lottery; percentiles based on NBA standings current as of March 5.
