Let’s get crazy. We’ve seen (and continue to see) the influence Klutch has successfully wielded over the Lakers’ organization the past two years or so. LeBron James’ representation is slowly spreading out across the league and using those connections to support James, their top client.
This year, Klutch has three big-name draft prospects: Darius Garland, Darius Bazley, and Reddish. The expectation is that the Lakers take Garland here. Garland is already being compared with Kyrie Irving, whose skill set we know fits with James’ style. Garland also fits nicely next to Lonzo Ball, a bigger playmaker who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to affect the game. However, Garland doesn’t strike me as a player who’s quite so desirable in a trade package with the Pelicans after they draft Zion Williamson.
From Shams Charania of The Athletic:
"“The Lakers still have their young core of players intact, such as Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart, and the No. 4 pick. There is intrigue to see how the Lakers initially handle these trade talks, after providing less-than-appealing offers to the Pelicans during the trade deadline in February.”"
Garland will need several seasons of trial and error before he reaches his pinnacle as a scoring guard. Irving needed the same. James waited those years out in South Beach.
On the other hand, Reddish not only theoretically fills a different need on the Lakers’ roster (3-and-D wings), but will be lower-maintenance on the player development side of things. No. 4 is a reach for Reddish, but Los Angeles will be operating with the priority being to satisfy New Orleans.
If Reddish does that, he’s the pick.