NBA Draft 2023: 3 perfect picks for the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 17

Perfect NBA Draft picks for the Los Angeles Lakers: 1. Dariq Whitehead

Whitehead was one of the highest-ranked recruits in his class but struggled to stand out at Duke. A broken foot just before the season started robbed him of a great deal of his previously explosive athleticism and his pre-draft process was interrupted by a second foot surgery. However, this is an incredible opportunity for the Lakers to buy low.

Even if he never quite recovers the athleticism he showed in high school he’s a committed and rugged wing defender with good size (6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan) who made better than 40 percent of his 3s as a freshman. His floor seems to be the kind of 3-and-D wing the Lakers could really use and his potential as a shot-maker and individual creator are all upside which could pay dividends for L.A. in a few years as the roster turns over.

Whitehead is almost certainly going to be available when the Lakers are on the clock and his skills and circumstances could make him a perfect blend of short- and long-term value for the Lakers.

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