D’Angelo Russell has moved up to the no. 2 spot on Chad Ford’s Big Board of NBA Draft prospects, passing big man Jahlil Okafor.
Russell and Okafor both had their individual work outs with the Los Angeles Lakers this week. The Lakers own the no. 2 overall draft pick.
Video of Russell’s interview after his work out with the Lakers on Monday. Russell talked about the honor it would be to play with Kobe Bryant:
Russell is a very polished and dynamic guard with good size, shooting, and mechanics. The league is in a guard-frenzied state, and the prospect of having a young nucleus in D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle has to be appealing.
The Lakers’ decision with the 2nd pick is directly impacted by who the Minnesota Timberwolves select with the first pick. They’ll have a chance to take at least one of the coveted big men between Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns, and they could have the option of drafting the top guard prospect in the draft in D’Angelo Russell. Laker history has taken heed to the big man, but now Russell’s improved stock suggests that LA might even be considering going with one of the top guard prospects instead.