2019 NBA Mock Draft: No one in the lottery wants to lose

Maybe the 118-109 loss in Phoenix on Saturday night is the final straw where the Lakers will start to face a reality that does not include the playoffs. That’s probably the smart move at this point, three games under .500 and a trade package to be built before July 1.

If so, Alexander-Walker is an incredible option alongside LeBron James. You can already see the fit — Josh Hart and Reggie Bullock are two of the more sensible partners on this roster for James in the drive-and-kick system James wants to play in. In the past, everyone from Ray Allen to Kyle Korver have come to James’ team and prolonged their careers thanks to the open shots they get from James. We’ve never been able to see what a young sharpshooter might look like with James.

Alexander-Walker will have to earn that comparison to Korver and Allen but his talent speaks for itself. He is one of the best shooters in the country as a sophomore, exploding after an inconsistent freshman season. The percentages — 39 percent from 3 and 49 percent overall — are solid, but there’s a confidence in Alexander-Walker’s game that wasn’t there before. He looks better both on the ball and off it, building off the advantages that a big frame and guard’s skill set provide him.

Whether the Lakers add Anthony Davis or not, Los Angeles will surely seek to upgrade their veteran talent this summer. That could happen in free agency or via trade, meaning the youngsters whom Lakers management seemingly alienated midseason are going to keep hearing rumors. An older team featuring James and another star will need shooting and youth, and Alexander-Walker would bring both, ready to play right away.