NBA Draft Rumors: Rodney Hood, Nik Stauskas back out of Lakers’ workout
The Los Angeles Lakers were quite busy on Wednesday.
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The Lakers hosted a workout for 12 draft prospects, including former Arizona Wildcats’ power forward Aaron Gordon, former Indiana Hoosiers’ big man Noah Vonleh, former Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns point Elfrid Payton, former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart, former UCLA Bruins’ guard Zach LaVine, former Syracuse Orange point guard Tyler Ennis and former Kentucky Wildcats’ swingman James Young, among others.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles, two prospects that will likely be selected in the lottery decided not to participate in the Lakers’ workouts, former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Rodney Hood and former Michigan Wolverines’ swingman Nik Stauskas.
Two new players in the Lakers' second group: Davion Berry (Weber St.) and Jerry Evans (Nevada). Rodney Hood was a drop out.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 4, 2014
Nik Stauskas also backed out of the Lakers workout last minute.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 4, 2014
If the Lakers are looking to work out a shooter, this could be a problem. Of course, the Lakers aren’t looking for any particular position.
Mitch Kupchak: "Because we’ve only got 4players on the roster, we’re not really limited to looking at a position. We need help everywhere"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 4, 2014
Stauskas put up 17.5 points, 3.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game in his sophomore season. He shot 47.0% from the field, 44.2% from beyond the arc and 82.4% from the free throw line. Hood averaged 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season. He shot 46.4% from the field, 42.0% from three and 80.7% from the charity stripe.