Lakers Update: More Pre-Draft Workouts

The Los Angeles Lakers' have two sessions of NBA draft workouts scheduled for Monday

One week after finishing second in the NBA Draft Lottery, the Los Angeles Lakers began working out prospects for the 2015 NBA Draft at their practice facility in El Segundo, California. Only, the purple and gold did not bring in any of the top prospects rumored to be in play for the No. 2 pick.

Instead, LA started their pre-draft workouts with Bryce Dejean-Jones, T.J McConnell, Kevin Pangos, Dez Wells, Seth Tuttle and Maurice Walker. Previously, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak stated that the Lakers may take a look at as many as 80 players for the Lakers’ three draft picks: No. 2, No. 27 and no. 34. To wrap up their first week of pre-draft workouts, the Lakers brought in Justin Anderson, Askia Booker, Anthony Brown, Charles Jackson, Stefan Nastic and Delon Wright.

Kupchak hinted that the second week would feature more of the big name prospects that could potentially be drafted with the Lakers’ top pick. Namely, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D'Angelo Russell appear to have emerged as the top three prospects in the draft.

According to reports, Towns will interview with Los Angeles and Minnesota, but the University of Kentucky center does not plan on going through the physical ringer for either team. Most draft boards rate Towns either No. 1 or No. 2, so the 19-year-old is not exactly in a position where he can advance his draft selection further.

Per Mark Medina of the LA Daily News, the Lakers plan to start June with workouts on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On Monday, the Lakers set up a double session to try and get a look at even more prospects in a short period of time.

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Lakers Insider Update:

On May 28, Julius Randle was visible performing advanced drills with contact, and the Lakers announced that the forward had been cleared for 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 full contact drills. Following 81 games missed due to injury, Randle appears on course to return to full action by the start of the NBA Summer League.

Fellow second-year Jordan Clarkson, who also expects to be at NBA Summer League, was also present at the Lakers' facility on Thursday, though Clarkson did not stay long. The First Team All Rookie recently visited the Philippines, which is his mother's homeland.

Wayne Ellington and Kobe Bryant were also present at the Lakers' facility on Thursday, with the latter taking time to sit next to Lakers coach Byron Scott for an extended period of time. Bryant appeared in good spirits and even made a couple wise cracks at bored reporters waiting to be let onto the practice court. Bryant is recovering from a torn rotator cuff and is scheduled to return for the start of the 2015/16 NBA season, which will likely be his final NBA season.

Notes

The LA Lakers finalized the sale for their new headquarters, which are set to open in 2017.

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