NBA Draft 2019: Mock Draft 6.0
4. player. 20. . Guard, Fr.. Vanderbilt. Darius Garland
Darius Garland has been regularly connected to the Lakers in recent weeks. He missed all but four games in college after suffering a meniscus tear, but his skill set as a lead guard in something NBA teams covet. He’s a good fit with the Lakers’ current core.
Operating under the assumption L.A. keeps the young core in tact, Garland could function as a strong complement to Lonzo Ball in the backcourt. While Ball cuts to the rim and runs off-ball, Garland can spot up, move off screens and run the pick-and-roll. They cover each others’ weaknesses.
Garland also adds another shooter alongside LeBron James, something the front office failed to do last summer. He’s a dynamic three-point shooter, boasting NBA range and excellent shot versatility. The lack of sample size is a concern, but Garland makes sense for L.A.