NBA Draft 2024: Top 3 options for Los Angeles Lakers with 56th pick in the 2nd round
1, C. N’Faly Dante, Oregon
One of the more underrated prospects projected to go late in the second round is Oregon center N’Faly Dante. If you watched the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments, you saw how big of an impact he had. His upside isn't massive unless he can develop some type of jump shot, but he has a standing reach of 9-foot-3 and a 7-foot-6 wingspan, which makes him an elite rebounder, shot blocker, and finisher around the rim.
Dante averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.9 blocks. During his last collegiate game in the NCAA Tournament, he had 28 points, 20 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. His presence can have a dominant impact on the game, and for the Lakers, getting a lengthy and athletic center with the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball with the 56th pick is a pick that the Lakers should definitely entertain if Dante is available in the second round.
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There was a chance that Dante could try to get an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA but after the recent news that a judge denied Chris Ledum and Jordan Dingle in their efforts, the former Oregon star will likely move on as well.