5 players Los Angeles Lakers need to target

March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) reacts during the 82-68 loss against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) reacts during the 82-68 loss against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Diamond Stone (33) and Kansas Jayhawks forward Jamari Traylor (31) go for a rebound during the first half in a semifinal game in the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Diamond Stone (33) and Kansas Jayhawks forward Jamari Traylor (31) go for a rebound during the first half in a semifinal game in the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Diamond Stone, C, Maryland

If the Lakers are going to look at the center position with their second pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, they should consider looking at a center with a bit of a mean streak.

After enduring Roy Hibbert’s contract for one year, the Lakers can go after someone that is young, but can grow into an enforcer with the proper seasoning.

At Maryland, Stone was known for mixing it up on the floor and bringing an attitude to the floor could be contagious and the Lakers could play with an edge that they seemingly haven’t had in a while.

What makes Stone such an intriguing prospect is that he has immense size on his frame and he has a tremendous standing reach. That means in a battle for rebounds, Stone is going to be a potential nightmare down the line for anyone that tries to cross him.

The knocks on him at this point are probably his maturity and the fact that scoring the basketball are probably not going to be his thing at the next level. If the new niche of center in the league has taught us anything, it’s that if he can rebound the ball and anchor the post, there is going to be a spot for him in this league.

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