2015 NBA Draft: How Each Top Prospect Fits With The Los Angeles Lakers

Mar 18, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Emmanuel Mudiay of Prime Prep Academy poses for a portrait. He is a finalist for the USA Today Player of the Year Award. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Emmanuel Mudiay

Age: 19

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 190 pounds

The 19-year-old Mudiay is special talent, but at this juncture in Jordan Clarkson‘s ascension, selecting Mudiay would put one of the two guards in a compromising position, and possibly stunt both of their developments. The fit seems off, even before mentioning Kobe Bryant, who will surely assume the responsibility of being a secondary ball handler in the starting five, after accumulating a 33.8 usage rate last season.

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Swarm and Sting

But for arguments sake, if the Lakers draft Mudiay, he may play beside Clarkson in the backcourt, and Kobe would slide over the the small forward position (a position where he hasn’t played often in his 18-year career). The fact that Bryant, arguably one of the 10 best players of all time, would have to adjust this late into his decorated career is troubling, but in terms of shooting the Lakers would just be a mess.

Last season, Clarkson shot only 31.4 percent from the 3-point line and Bryant shot 29.3 percent, good for third-worst of his career in seasons he has attempted at least 100 3-pointers. Their struggles paired with Mudiay’s shaky shooting (he shot 34.2 percent from outside the 3-point line in China) would make the Lakers fairly predictable offensively. And if the Lakers can’t nab one of the coveted big men in free agency, they would still have holes on a defense and front court that was tied for 18th in in blocks per game last season.

Given Mudiay’s athleticism and playmaking ability, he would make most teams very happy, but given the Lakers’ mismatched roster, he might just give them a headache.

Next: D'Angelo Russell