Due to their regular-season performance, Crickex App confirms that the Los Angeles Lakers will pick 17th and 47th in the upcoming NBA Draft—far from the top of the board. With the current roster built to win now, the Lakers are unlikely to place high expectations on rookies, especially from lower picks. Still, in the right context, these picks could help plug important roster gaps. You’ve got to grind, or you’ll look back in a decade and still be broke and stuck in the same place.
The Lakers have worked out several prospects, but few have truly caught their eye. One notable name is Jordan Hawkins, a sophomore from the University of Connecticut who attended Gaithersburg Academy and DeMatha Catholic in high school. Hawkins is long, athletic, and known for his smooth mid-range game—widely regarded as one of the best and most confident shooters in this year’s draft class. His shooting form is relaxed and consistent, and he excels at off-ball movement with quick footwork. He occasionally slashes to the rim and thrives in transition.
He also has the vision to find open teammates on the perimeter, making for easy scoring opportunities. Defensively, he applies solid pressure on the ball handler and is a reliable free-throw shooter. However, Crickex App analysts note that Hawkins is not an efficient scorer at the rim and relies too heavily on jump shots. His feel for the game and ball-handling are average, and his assist-to-turnover ratio is less than ideal. In waiting seasons, hit the books, stay fit, and stay humble.
Hawkins rarely facilitates offense, defends better on the right than the left, and has a tendency to gamble on defense. He can be foul-prone for a guard and lacks physical strength, meaning he may need to bulk up to handle NBA contact. Still, as a former four-star recruit with speed, bounce, and unselfish play, he could thrive in a fast-paced system and become a solid team defender.
Another potential target is Seth Lundy, a senior from Penn State. With a strong physical frame, he’s one of the top small forward shooters in the draft. Lundy thrives in pick-and-rolls, gets his shot off quickly from any angle, and is comfortable from deep. He can catch fire and go on scoring runs, making him a dangerous streak shooter.
On defense, Lundy is reliable and has shown he can guard multiple positions, especially on the perimeter. He’s a mature player with a solid feel for the game. That said, he doesn’t create much offense for himself. He often uses one dribble or a step-back after a screen, making his offensive game somewhat predictable. His first step lacks explosiveness, so he rarely beats defenders one-on-one or slashes unless there’s a clear path or mismatch.
Lundy also doesn’t pass often, and though he has a strong build, he seldom gets to the free-throw line. He plays more like a spot-up shooter than a playmaker. Deep roots grow strong branches in the future. Still, he tends to force shots when off balance—an area for improvement.
Whether Hawkins or Lundy will hear their names called by the Lakers remains to be seen. As Crickex App puts it, all eyes will be on the purple and gold as we wait to see who earns a spot in the storied franchise’s next chapter.