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2019 NBA Mock Draft: March Madness is NBA Draft crazy season

By Brendon Kleen

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tyler Herro #14 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts as they take on the Wofford Terriers during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tyler Herro #14 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts as they take on the Wofford Terriers during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – MARCH 07: Indiana Hoosiers guard Romeo Langford (0) looks to pass the ball around Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tevian Jones (5) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on March 7, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – MARCH 07: Indiana Hoosiers guard Romeo Langford (0) looks to pass the ball around Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tevian Jones (5) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on March 7, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

player. 20. . G. Indiana. Romeo Langford. 10

Add Langford to the list of lottery prospects taking it easy on their return from injury. After missing the first two games of the NIT with a back injury, Langford was questionable for the third-round game against Wichita State.

Local media has already begun clamoring for Langford to return to school for his sophomore season so that Indiana can properly win some games with their hometown kid. It makes little sense for Langford to do so. He added some late-season clutch scoring to his resume and already projects as a potential starting-caliber combo guard with defensive upside. He has nothing left to prove to NBA front offices — only to Indiana fans. Unless he really responds to the local media’s pleas, there’s nothing to gain by returning. The Hoosiers failed Langford, not the other way around.

Just as with the Celtics and Doumboya, Los Angeles would be happy if it could actually keep Langford. As a replacement in the even Josh Hart and/or Lonzo Ball are included in a potential Anthony Davis trade, Langford is a perfect fit. He is the type of player who makes more sense next to LeBron James than Rajon Rondo or Lance Stephenson — a young, hungry scorer who can manufacture some points while James rests.

He will likely be too raw for the Lakers to want to develop him during James’ time with the team, but it’s surely a better use of resources than another washed-up veteran.

Check out our full scouting report on Romeo Langford.

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