Lakers' GM Kupchak will draft best player available, not concerned about fit with Kobe
To outsiders, it may seem like the Los Angeles Lakers are wavering on whom they plan to select at the draft on June 25.
With the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has an opportunity to potentially change his team's fortunes heading into what he believes will be Kobe Bryant's final season in the NBA.
Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina wrote about Kupchak's pre-draft approach and decision-making process.
Mitch said he's more worried about drafting best No. 2 prospect than weighing if the player will mesh well w/ Kobe http://t.co/jdlc57ohXc
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) June 14, 2015
It has become evident that Kupchak is focused on drafting the player whom he feels will provide the most production for the long haul. Less important to the Lakers' brass, it seems, is whether the player chosen will mesh with the often hard-to-please Bryant. Essentially, jeopardizing the future of the franchise is not an option and appeasing Mamba will not be a major factor in Kupchak's drafting process.
Kupchak explained his stance on this topic: "We're not going to pick a player because he can play with Kobe, likes Kobe or dislikes Kobe. We're going to pick the player that can have the longest and best career."
In recent weeks, the Lakers have been reported to have interest in a variety of top prospects. Assuming the Minnesota Timberwolves select Karl-Anthony Towns with the No. 1 pick, Jahlil Okafor, D'Angelo Russell, and Emmanuel Mudiay are said to be realistic options for the Lakers.
On Saturday, ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Lakers may also be intrigued by 7-foot Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis.