The Los Angeles Lakers had the number two overall pick at the NBA Draft 2015, and they chose to select D’Angelo Russell in the hope that he will become a franchise cornerstone.
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Many expected the Lakers to take Jahlil Okafor with their Draft pick, but they instead opted to pick up the former Ohio State point guard who is regarded as one of the top talents in the entire Draft class.
Russell was unsurprisingly thrilled about the prospect of playing alongside Kobe Bryant next season, and he insisted that he has a winning mentality that matches the legendary veteran and he hopes to play a part in making them a winning team again next year.
Nevertheless, he will have big expectations on his shoulders given that the Lakers see him as a player capable of competing with all the top guards around the Western Conference.
As well as scoring as efficiently as he did at college level, Russell will now be expected to face off against the likes of Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Stephen Curry in a loaded West in terms of guards.
Whether he is up to the task remains to be seen, but what is certain is that the Lakers aren’t finished this summer and are expected to make further moves in free agency to ensure that they are ready to compete next season.
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