Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 369 Target Delineation
The draft is approaching, and the actions of each team are also in full swing.

The Lakers have their own two draft picks, as well as a second-round pick from the Jazz that year in the trade.

According to the record, the Lakers' pick is the 25th pick in the first round, the 34th pick and the 55th pick in the second round.

Around the candidates for these three picks, the Lakers are also having heated discussions within the Lakers.Sean Battier's contract expired and he became a restricted free agent. In addition, considering that Nene and Haslem have the last year of their rookie contracts and are facing renewal issues, some trading options are also being discussed middle.

"Facts have proved that we still need a real center to sit in the paint. Anderson Varejao doesn't seem to be qualified for this position. A year has passed, and his progress is limited. Apart from flopping, he hasn't seen much. Brilliant performance." After looking at the technical statistics, Kupchak made a judgment. "Trevor Ariza has not shown the immediate combat power we need. In my opinion, his training cycle is too long. It will take at least 4 to 5 years to grow into a qualified starter. We may not There is not so much playing time and resources to train him. At the current stage, the team should still take winning the championship as the first goal, and replenishing players with immediate combat power is the top priority."

Jim smiled wryly. The rookies selected last season did not get many opportunities to play due to his conservative employment. The veteran Divac who was signed did not play any role, nor did he get the ring of his dreams. He sadly announced his retirement. Now look at Come on, Kupchak was right.

But looking at the rookie list for this year's draft, there are still many good candidates for the Lakers' three picks.

"Eisen Ilyasova, from Turkey, is 2 meters tall, serves as a power forward, has comprehensive skills, and can shoot as far as the three-point line. He is only 08 years old this year..." Jim picked up a list on the table and read road.

"Jim, I remember what I said just now, we need players with immediate combat power, this Ilya... something, the current strength..."

"It's not that good. The highest honor is the MVP of the Under-20 European Championship. We don't think he has the ability to play in the NBA yet, but he has great potential." Laughlin took the conversation and said truthfully.

"Well, I didn't plan to use any of the picks to pick him. I think this kid is good." Jim pulled out a card and put it on the table.

David Lee, a senior at the University of Florida.

"I am 22 years old and have played in college for 4 years. I should have a good supplementary strength. The offensive skills are comprehensive, but the defense does not seem to be very good. Considering that our head coach next season is Tang, maybe David Lee will be more suitable. His taste," Kupchak analyzed.

"I seem to hear someone calling my name?" Don Nelson walked into the office and smiled.

"We're almost unanimous in taking him with the first round pick, what do you think?"

"Jim and I talked about it a week ago."

"Sure enough, it's your style." Kupchak put down the list.

"There are still two draft picks, the 2th pick in the second round. There are many rookies to choose from. The Essen Ilyasova I just mentioned is one of them." On the other side, Jim wrote David Lee's name on the whiteboard wrote it up.

"With regards to foreign talent, looking at what Darko Milicic has become, I think if you really have to scratch the lottery, it's better to choose domestic players, such as this, C.J. Myers, this year The Texas Mr. Basketball, from Skyline High School, has good physical fitness and can guarantee the lower limit. And this, Van Wever, a junior at Florida State University, has strong physical fitness and sharp breakthroughs."

"Speaking of Weaver, the scout in charge of this part, Owen Thomas, strongly recommended his alumni to me, but we think he has some potential injuries, and his style of play is too... impulsive." Laughlin spread his hands, It doesn't seem to be very optimistic about this one.

"It seems that this year there are a lot of skinny guards who play well and are good at scoring. They should be the young people who watched Allen Iverson play 10 years ago. Let's see, Monta Allen Lees, Mississippi State Mr. Basketball, from Lynell High School, good at scoring, once scored 72 points in a single game...and him, Louis Williams, Georgia State Mr. Basketball, and for two consecutive years... Aha, this year's Naismith Award winner, this is a bit of a big deal...he averaged 32.5 points per game in his senior season, and scoring seems to be his instinct." Jim put the information of the two scoring madmen on the table.

"Since they are so good, why not try to win at the same time? Like not picking David Lee in the first round?" Stevens asked seriously.

Jim concentrated on reading the information and answered casually.

"I don't think we can score enough goals. One player like this is enough... You've learned a lot, and you dare to entertain me!" Jim was halfway through speaking, seeing Stevens trying very hard to hold back his laughter. Only then did he realize that the kid was teasing him.

"Let's listen to Coach Nelson." Stevens immediately threw the blame.

"Monta Ellis, I am really optimistic about this kid. If I were the general manager, I would select him with a top second-round pick and guide him. He can grow into a top shooting guard in the league." As expected. , Don Nelson's eyes didn't change much.

"Do you really not consider Van Weaver?" When it was Kupchak's turn, he still believed that Weaver was the right candidate.

"Really don't think about it, or we make a bet, no matter which team, Van Wever's achievements will not be higher than Monta Ellis or Lou Williams, with a rookie contract of 4 years How about a deadline?" Jim immediately dismissed Kupchak's proposal.

"Forget it, I'll choose Louis Williams. As for why... I think the player who can win the Naismith Award must have his excellence, and Monta Ellis's academic performance is too poor , Usually such a player has some personality problems, which may become a hidden danger." Kupchak has figured out some reasons.

"Makes sense...although I think Monta Ellis might be the better player, better isn't necessarily a better fit. We have at least 10 more years of shooting guard left, so a long-term reliable and efficient player It might be a better choice." Jim wrote Louis Williams' name on the whiteboard.

"As for the last draft pick... let's see the situation and adapt accordingly. I'm afraid there won't be any good candidates left for that position. Mickey, arrange a trial training immediately, and the team must be strong." Jim pulled out more than a dozen rookie reports and handed them to Kupche gram.

"understood."

(End of this chapter)