In the event the Los Angeles Lakers wind up with one of the first two picks in the 2016 NBA Draft, it is pretty clear that the team would take one of two players in either LSU’s Ben Simmons and Duke’s Brandon Ingram, whom the Lakers have already interviewed. If the Lakers wind up in the third spot, however, things become much more unclear.
There are a number of different players who could be taken at the third spot, and one of the most intriguing is Kentucky guard Jamal Murray.
Murray was one of the best guards in the country last year for Kentucky and has a lot of tools that are impressive to NBA teams. According to Rick Bozich of WDRB in Louisville, the Lakers interviewed Murray and reportedly came away impressed with the freshman:
The Los Angeles Lakers interviewed UK guard Jamal Murray Wednesday night and were impressed. Murray will not play or do interviews here.
— rickbozich (@rickbozich) May 12, 2016
The Lakers are already pretty set at guard with D’Angelo Russell, and Jordan Clarkson viewed as building blocks, and they also like what veteran Lou Williams brings to the table. Despite all of that, however, Murray could be the best option at number three if they find themselves in that situation.
Murray is a natural scorer who is an excellent shooter both spotting up and coming off of screens. He has a high basketball IQ and is very crafty with the ball though there are questions about his athleticism as well as his ability to make plays for others.
If the Lakers wind up with the third overall selection, many expect them to look to trade away the pick for more established talent. If they do wind up keeping the pick, Murray could very well be that player if they are indeed impressed with him after the interview. Of course, the team’s pre-draft workouts will also play a major factor.
