2014 NBA Mock Draft: An in-depth look at both rounds
By Joe Nardone
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
7. Los Angeles Lakers – Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
H: 6′ 9″ W: 250 lbs DOB: 11/29/1994
2013-14 NCAA (40 GP) 15.0 PPG 10.4 RPG 1.4 APG 25.0 PER
I understand how serious Julius Randle’s foot injury could wind up being, but we often see players drafted based on their potential, and Randle was a top-three player heading into this past college basketball season. Of all of the bigs in this loaded draft, Randle’s the most capable of scoring and rebounding immediately at the next level, and to be honest, he stands a better chance at being a star in this league than most guys on the board at this stage. You don’t think that’s going to matter to the Buss family and Kobe?
In my mock draft last week I had the Lakers taking Noah Vonleh, but Vonleh’s stock is surprisingly dropping do to coming in to workouts out of shape, and despite being hurt, Randle’s still the best big man prospect not named Embiid in this draft. — Jared