2015 NBA Draft Fact Or Fiction: Lakers Taking Russell; Porzingis No. 1?
Jan 29, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D’Angelo Russell (0) celebrates following the win over the Maryland Terrapins at Value City Arena. Ohio State won the Big Ten game 80-56. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Lakers taking D’Angelo Russell?
Backstory: In an unexpected twist, D’Angelo Russell cancelled his scheduled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers this past weekend, which could mean a few things. It could either mean that he has a promise to get selected at No. 1 or No. 2, that he doesn’t want to play with the Sixers or it could mean absolutely nothing at all. He just could’ve been sick, as he said he was.
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I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Los Angeles Lakers select D’Angelo Russell with the No. 2 overall pick, though, I would be surprised if Russell went No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves. I’m sure that we shouldn’t really overthink this move by Russell, because he actually may in fact be sick, but as an NBA Draft rumor tendency, we can’t help it.
The Lakers are an organization that usually favors the big man over the small man in success — George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal. And even though the NBA is slowly becoming a little man’s league, I don’t think the Lakers are ready to make that kind of transition yet.
Verdict: FICTION
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