2015 NBA Draft: How Each Top Prospect Fits With The Los Angeles Lakers
By Julius Lasin
Feb 7, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) reacts after he made a basket against the Florida Gators during the second half at Stephen C. O
Karl-Anthony Towns
Age: 19
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 250 pounds
At this stage, the Lakers do have the option of bringing incumbent starting center Jordan Hill back, but even if they do it is apparent that he is better suited as an energy guy, rather than a someone who is the anchor of their interior offense and defense. Plug in Karl-Anthony Towns and then that issue is solved.
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With Towns in the fold, the Lakers would be able to set aside Hill and put him on the bench, providing the team with some much-needed enthusiasm and production when the starters are getting a breather. The Lakers could also use Towns as an excuse to decline the team option on Hill, and use that money to bolster an offer towards a big name free agent (What’s up, Kevin Love? LaMarcus Aldridge?) and make the Towns the primary center, no questions asked.
Moreover, Towns would pair well with fellow University of Kentucky alum, Julius Randle, as both have long arms that can alter and block shots, as well as the mobility to play suffocating pick and roll defense, and improve on a defense that allowed over 45 points in the paint per game (via teamrankings). Having Towns would also give point guard Jordan Clarkson a nice target to find near the rim, as well as open up shooting lanes for Clarkson and other perimeters players.
Granted, Towns has yet to carry a team (at least offensively) like most superstars or No. 1 overall picks do, but on a team like the Lakers who have an established leader Kobe Bryant, and is still being built, he does not need to shoulder that load. On a larger scale, Towns can immediately provide Los Angeles with the defensive relief that they are in dire need of, as well as also fitting in perfectly three, four, or five years down the line.
Next: Jahlil Okafor