The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

WELL the NBA Draft has come and gone and NO, Paul George still isn’t a Laker!

Despite not making a blockbuster trade for George, yet, ‘Magic’ Johnson(Lakers President) and Rob Pelinka (Lakers GM) have done a masterful job over the last few days. Firstly, trading off young and still immature PG DeAngelo Russell a former second round pick in 2014, along with underachieving C Timofey Mosgov and his ‘albatross’ $64M contract, to the Brooklyn Nets. Acquiring all star C Brook Lopez and his expiring $22M contract, freeing up $78M in additional cap room, for the impending free agent shopping spree the team will be on in 2018.

Secondly ‘Magic’ and ‘Rob’ added four young, quality players with good basketball pedigrees, that can contribute immediately to the rebuild in LA, possibly contending for a 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs.

So as all of that unfolds, let’s have a look at the newest quartet of Lakers and their draft grades.

Round 1, Pick 2 (No. 2 overall): Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA

The Real Balls of Los Angeles is, well, real. The Lakers looked at Josh Jackson and De’Aaron Fox and came back to Ball.

Pound for pound as prospects, the three aren’t far apart, but when it comes to philosophical fit, Ball was the clear choice.

‘Lonzo’ will benefit from Magic Johnson’s tutelage and Luke Walton’s uptempo offense and have a great opportunity to be a difference-maker.

As L.A. positions itself to sign stars in Free Agency ‘18, Ball’s development will be critical. I think he’s got the ‘it’ factor and should handle all that comes with stardom. ‘Lonzo’s’ game is eerily similar to former All Star PG Rod Strickland, except ‘Lonzo’ is way more athletic.

Grade: A

Round 1, Pick 27 (No. 27 overall): Kyle Kuzma, F, Utah

The Lakers were said to be high on Kuzma all along, they seem to be ensnared of his blend of skill and shooting ability. He’s more athletic than several of the other stretch-forward prospects in this range, and has tremendous upside as a role player.

He’s not an especially proven prospect and didn’t shoot that well from three at Utah last season, but teams think he can figure it out.

He reminds me of Sean Marion and Robert Horry, he’s a perfect fit for what L.A. is building.

Grade: B+

Round 1, Pick 30 (No. 30 overall): Josh Hart, G/F, Villanova

Hart is a nice pickup for the Lakers, who also acquired the No. 42 pick after dealing down from No. 28 with Utah. The Jazz were likely concerned about the Spurs taking Tony Bradley at 29, and the Lakers were eager to cash in.

Hart is viewed around the league as an extremely safe pick, who can contribute right away, as an experienced player who guards multiple positions, and makes winning plays.

He gives L.A. another quality young player for its rebuild. His game is very reminiscent of former Knicks guard John Starks.

Grade: A-

Round 2, Pick 12 (No. 42 overall via Jazz): Thomas Bryant, C, Indiana

At No. 42, Bryant is a good value, especially considering his giant 7’6 wingspan.

He joins a very crowded frontcourt, which includes first-round pick Kyle Kuzma, but Bryant could emerge as the better prospect. Regardless, he provides some nice depth for the Lakers off the bat, and a young physical presence protecting the rim.

Grade B+

Until next week, keep shooting, eventually they will start going in!!

• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1. Comments and questions to naughty@tribunemedia.net