Lakers' Players to Target in 2022 NBA Draft-Day Trades
As it stands, the Los Angeles Lakers are set to be shut out of the 2022 NBA draft.
However, that's always subject to change.
The Lakers don't currently possess any picks, but they are "widely known to be pursuing a second-round draft selection," per B/R's Jake Fischer.
If L.A. can trade its way into the draft, then the following three prospects would be worth targeting in the second round.
Christian Braun, SG/SF, Kansas
The Lakers, like every modern NBA team, could use more wings.
However, they have to be the kind of wings who can complement LeBron James. What skills are required for that job? Well, think basketball IQ, versatility and outside shooting.
Christian Braun checks every box. He would even arrive with championship experience after helping the Jayhawks win the national title this past season.
The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor likened the 21-year-old to former Lakers fan favorite (and LeBron favorite) Alex Caruso, while highlighting his hustle, athleticism and feel for the game.
If L.A. believes in Braun's outside shot—he hit 44.4 percent of his threes as a freshman, 34.0 percent as a sophomore and 38.6 percent as a junior—he'd be worth paying a not-insignificant price to get.
Christian Koloko, C, Arizona
The Lakers need protection and not only in the paint.
They also have to safeguard themselves against more injury issues for Anthony Davis, plus the potential departure of free-agent center Dwight Howard.
Enter Christian Koloko.
The Cameroonian big man looks like a rim-runner-in-training. He stands 7'0" in shoes, posted the second-highest max vertical of center prospects at the combine (33.5 inches, per NBA.com) and turned heads this past season with both a 63.5 field-goal percentage and per-game average of 2.8 blocks in only 25.4 minutes.
David Roddy, SF/PF, Colorado State
David Roddy has a unique build even by NBA standards as a 6'6", 255-pounder. There isn't much precedent in the modern Association of players succeeding with his body type.
Having said that, his build is arguably the only thing potentially putting him in realistic range for the Purple and Gold. If he was, say, 15 or 20 pounds lighter, he might have an entirely different draft outlook.
As it stands, his across-the-board skills are some of the best in this class.
While the competition level wasn't the highest at Colorado State, there only so many ways to nitpick a stat line that features: 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks and a 57.1/43.8/69.1 shooting slash.
As B/R's Jonathan Wasserman put it, Roddy "possesses enough IQ, toughness and skill versatility to make it work out of the box."