The Los Angeles Lakers have several options for the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. They might trade the pick as part of a deal for a star player, or they could aim to find a sleeper who can immediately contribute to the team.
They’ve discovered several late-round gems before and could potentially do so again this year.
Three under-the-radar players who could be available for the Lakers with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft are Tristan da Silva, DaRon Holmes II, and Kevin McCullar Jr.
Few players in this year’s draft are more ready to make an immediate NBA impact than Colorado’s Tristan da Silva. While Cody Williams received most of the attention in Boulder, da Silva’s consistent and solid play had the greatest impact for the Buffaloes.
Da Silva’s offensive skills make him a versatile fit for nearly any team in the league. At 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, he can stretch the floor and overpower smaller defenders in the post. Additionally, he can defend wings on the perimeter or contend with bigger players inside. Da Silva offers significant
The Lakers should consider drafting Tristan da Silva if he’s available at the 17th pick. Many of their current frontcourt players, excluding LeBron James and Anthony Davis, are one-dimensional. Rui Hachimura struggled defensively against Michael Porter Jr. in the playoffs, and Jarred Vanderbilt, though injured, was ineffective due to his shooting limitations. Taurean Prince also had trouble containing agile wings and guarding off the dribble.
While defending in space isn’t da Silva’s strongest suit, he is capable of it. Envisioning him in a PJ Washington-like role is realistic, and he could thrive in such a role with the Lakers.
The ideal frontcourt partner for Davis in Los Angeles would be a stretch five. It’s likely no coincidence that five of the six top offenses in the regular season included a center who shot at least 35.8% from three-point range. One such center was Myles Turner from Indiana, whom the Lakers attempted to trade for a few
The Lakers missed out on Turner previously but could find a similar talent in Dayton’s DaRon Holmes II. Holmes has excelled as the centerpiece of the Flyers’ offense over the past few years and notably improved during the 2023-24 season. He achieved a career-best 38.6% from three-point range and posted his highest college stats with 25.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per 40 minutes.
Holmes is also a strong rim protector, boasting a 7.5% career block percentage, which is above average. He and Davis could create a formidable frontcourt duo, posing significant challenges for opponents on both ends of the floor. Holmes would be an excellent pick for the Lakers.
Kevin McCullar Jr. is another player ready to make an immediate NBA impact. During his final season with the Kansas Jayhawks, McCullar significantly improved, averaging a career-high 18.3 points and 4.1 assists per game. Prior to this, he had never averaged more than 11 points per game in any of his four college seasons.
Known for his strong defense and experience, McCullar’s enhanced offensive contributions make him an excellent draft target for teams like the Lakers. He will be a valuable addition to whichever team selects him.
versatility to whichever team drafts him.
