The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to take that final step toward being once again a championship team next season. To do so, they will need more depth, especially since at least one of their key contributors from this season may leave via free agency or possibly a trade.
Even if they run it back, they could still use another strong contributor at the wing or forward position for next season but beyond.
With the No. 17 and No. 47 picks in the 2023 NBA draft, which will take place on June 22, Los Angeles could end up with at least one very serviceable player. One candidate for that No. 47 pick could be Jalen Wilson, a forward it recently worked out.
Wilson can score and board
Wilson spent four seasons at the University of Kansas, and he was a key member of their national championship team in the 2021-22 season. He was named to the All-Big 12 first team this past season while also winning the Big 12 Player of the Year.
Looking at his stats, it’s no wonder why. He averaged 20.1 points and 8.3 rebounds a game this past season, leading the Big 12 in both categories. He’s a very strong scorer in the paint, and he has the quickness to get past bigger players.
Wilson also seems to have the ability to draw fouls. He attempted 5.5 free throws a game in the 2022-23 season, and he shot 79.9% from the charity stripe, which was a major improvement for him. The season prior, he was at just 72.2%, and in the 2020-21 season, he made an anemic 63.0% of his foul shots.
He shoots quite a few 3-pointers, but with a 33.7% accuracy this past season, he isn’t quite what one would call a good 3-point shooter. This is an area of his game that could greatly raise his ceiling if he improves on it at the next level.
A concern for Wilson is his apparent inability to be effective while driving to his left, which could be exposed unless he rectifies this issue.
Although Wilson isn’t a great defender, he can hold his own. Despite being 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds, he may not have the athleticism to improve that much at that end of the floor.
Is it possible he will be a tweener in the NBA or will he work on his game enough to find a home as a taller wing?
Many scouts believe Wilson is a potential second-round draft pick, especially since at age 22, he is an older prospect.
