NBA Draft 2021: Mock Draft 1.0
20. . SF. Los Angeles Lakers. Trey Murphy III. 22. player
2021 NBA Draft — 22. Trey Murphy III, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers will be right back in title contention next season, health permitting. It would make sense to target a player who fits right away and can contribute as a rookie. Enter Trey Murphy, a switchable 6-foot-8 wing who is one of the draft’s best shooters.
L.A. prides itself on defense, and that’s an area where Murphy can feasibly contribute. He’s big and nimble enough to guard all over the floor, while potentially adding a reliable stretch four next to Anthony Davis in smaller lineups. On offense, a knockdown shooter with silk-smooth mechanics should have no trouble finding shots next to LeBron James.
Injuries decimated L.A.’s playoff run, but so did an uneven performance from the supporting cast at large. It’s impossible to guarantee a rookie can contribute in year one, especially for a team so geared toward contention, but Murphy may have a chance to take up the void left by Kyle Kuzma, should his Lakers career come to an end sooner than later.