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The Lakers should target these guards with the 17th pick

By Caden Hendersonon

The Lakers will be looking for depth at the guard spot, given that D’Angelo Russell, one of the Purple and Gold’s previous starting guards, could become an unrestricted free agent.

While LA won’t be able to snag one of the top guards of the class at 17, such as Reed Sheppard or Rob Dillingham, there are still plenty of options for the Lakers if drafting a guard is the route they want to go come draft day.  

Jared McCain (Duke) 

McCain is no stranger to having the spotlight on him at all times, making him an excellent fit for the culture of Los Angeles.

McCain is a high-IQ, high-energy player who could make an impact from day one in the NBA. The Duke guard was an efficient scorer, shooting 41.4% from three in his lone college season.

This also included scoring outbursts of 30 points in the Sweet 16 against JMU and 32 in the Final Four against NC State. While he doesn’t have the length that some other prospects have, he tends to make up for it with his ability to be physical with defenders and draw charges.

McCain is the perfect player to pair alongside a playmaking guard, which the Lakers have with Austin Reaves. 

Ceiling: Donte DiVincenzo/De’Anthony Melton

Floor: Bryn Forbes 

Carlton Carrington (Pitt) 

Carrington stands at 6’4 with a 6’8 wingspan, which helps make him one of the lengthier guards in this draft class. He improved at a rapid rate this past season at Pitt, in large part thanks to his maturity and work ethic.

On the offensive end, Carrington can get to his spots inside the arc but shot just 32.2% from three. He did show signs of improvement from downtown late in the season, though, including hitting seven threes in a game against Boston College.

Carrington would be an archetype the Lakers haven’t had with a guard in a while, but the team would have to be patient as he’s likely a multi-year project. 

Ceiling: Jordan Clarkson 

Floor: Killian Hayes 

Isaiah Collier (USC) 

Chances are that many Los Angeles basketball fans are no strangers to USC guard Isaiah Collier. Collier is a tempo-pushing, slashing guard who was the #1 high school player in the class of 2023.

Thanks to his combination of strength and speed, Collier possesses an elite ability to get to the rim and finish through contact. However, his jump shot isn’t the prettiest to look at and would need some work after shooting just 33.8% from three in his freshman season. Turnovers were also an issue, as he sometimes seemed to be moving too fast for his own good.

However, the Lakers front office must be intrigued by the idea of an explosive guard like Collier running alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. 

Ceiling: Baron Davis 

Floor: 2024 Russell Westbrook 

Tyler Kolek (Marquette) 

Tyler Kolek may stand at just 6’1, but he was the heart and soul of Marquette’s offense last season. Kolek has an elite vision that helped him lead all of college ball last season in assists with 7.7 per game, boasting a 2.74 AST: TO ratio while doing it.

He’s more than just a facilitator, though, as he can easily navigate around screens to drive into the paint and take quick scoop shots that are nearly impossible for shot blockers to time up.

Kolek can also shoot it from deep, hitting at a 38.8% rate in his senior season. Naturally, his size makes him a liability on defense, which is his main flaw.

However, if given defense around him in a prominent 6th man role, Kolek could become a legitimate NBA player on a winning team.

Ceiling: Tyus Jones 

Floor: Tre Jones 

Devin Carter (Providence) 

Devin Carter is the least likely to be available at pick #17 of the players on this list, but his stock has gone up and down throughout draft season, so he is worth considering.

Carter is an excellent defender at the guard position who also rebounds exceptionally well for his 6’2 frame, averaging 8.7 boards this past season for the Friars. His jump shot improved each year in college, which, paired with his explosiveness, molded him into a 20-point-per-game player.

The main concern comes with Carter’s playmaking, as he averaged just 3.6 assists and had turnover issues against the better defensive teams in the Big East.

Carter is one of the more high-risk, high-reward players in the draft, but they could flourish as a secondary or tertiary ball handler/playmaker next to an elite facilitator like LeBron James. 

Ceiling: Derrick White

Floor: Anthony Carter 

While the guard spot may not be the Lakers’ main position of need entering the draft, these prospects are certainly intriguing enough for the Lakers to consider, especially if the new coaching regime likes something they see. 

Sports Broadcaster, Journalist, & PA Announcer. Staff Writer: LADE IG: @Caden_Center TikTok, Twitter and YT: @CadenCenter
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