Key Takeaways:
– Los Angeles Lakers have the No. 17 pick in the NBA 2024 draft, which the New Orleans Pelicans may defer to 2025.
– LA Lakers are likely to pick Duke’s big man, Kyle Filipowski, according to projections.
– Filipowski has shown impressive performance in his time at Duke, becoming one of the most debated players.
– His offensive versatility can be a significant asset to the Lakers, although his defensive capabilities might need some polishing.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Draft Pick Implications
The Los Angeles Lakers face an important decision as they approach the summer of 2024. The NBA team presently owns the No. 17 pick for the upcoming NBA draft. However, the ball lies in the court of the New Orleans Pelicans, who have until June 1, 2024, to decide whether to claim this pick or postpone it to the 2025 draft.
Anticipated Draft Pick: Duke’s Filipowski
Sam Vecenie from The Athletic projects that the Lakers will keep the pick, selecting Duke’s shining star, 6-foot-11 player, Kyle Filipowski. Experts believe that the Pelicans will likely delay until 2025, allowing the Lakers to land this promising player. Vecenie outlines that Filipowski’s dual capability to pair up well with Anthony Davis or independently serve as a third big makes him a fitting pick.
“What’s impressive about Filipowski is his ability to score, being a big man who can shoot effectively,” Vecenie wrote. Filipowski averages 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, boasting about 50% field shooting and nearly 35% from 3.
Filipowski: Duke’s Controversial Player
Filipowski, with his pleasing height of just under 6-foot-11 and weight of 229 pounds, managed to stir the pot of debate among college basketball followers during his career at Duke. As a top Duke player, strong reactions from fans are inevitable and almost expected.
Filipowski captured the spotlight with certain incidents against Wake Forest and North Carolina. Despite these controversies, Filipowski is ready to transition into the NBA, well-prepared for public scrutiny.
“I’m over it,” Filipowski confidently told The Athletic regarding criticism and public judgment. “I’ve realized everyone will always have an opinion, so it doesn’t really matter.”
How Will Filipowski Blend with the Lakers?
During his tenure with the Blue Devils, Filipowski averaged 15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game, shooting 34.8% from long range in 36 starts. His ability to create scores in multiple ways during his Duke career signifies his potential addition of versatility and shooting skill to the Lakers roster.
Vecenie added, “Finding 7-footers with skills to dribble, pass, and shoot like Filipowski is challenging.”
This ability gives Filipowski an edge, allowing him to play with Anthony Davis and replace the star during his breaks. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo believes that Filipowski might need some improvement in defense as he steps into the NBA.
“His offensive versatility makes him a unique player,” Woo wrote. He added that defensive improvement and playing alongside a rim protector would make Filipowski a better fit for teams willing to play with two bigs.
To conclude, Filipowski’s capacity to play all over the court, pass, and potentially create mismatches due to his size could make him a long-term, intriguing player in the NBA. His addition to the Lakers could be strategic for the team, given some much-needed skill enhancement in areas of defense.