Lakers Acquire Productive Additions Late in the 2012 NBA Draft by Jeff Little

 

The Los Angeles Lakers came into the 2012 NBA Draft with a litany of needs and not a lot of resources to make them happen. The team is pursuing youth, athleticism, shooters and play-makers for the roster. The way the new collective bargaining agreement is setup however, to improve and build for the future, L.A. would have needed to trade a star to get any great draft picks.

There were several conversations with multiple general managers before, during and after the draft to access Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace’s trade value. Lakers’ General Manager Mitch Kupchak used a tremendous amount of shrewdness in making some quality selections to improve the team.

The Los Angeles Lakers came into the NBA Draft possessing only the 60th pick.  The Lakers purchased the rights to the 55th pick from the Dallas Mavericks for $500,000 and selected former Marquette University 6’3” 212 lb. shooting guard Darius Johnson-Odom. When on the clock to make the 60^th pick, the last pick of the second round, the NBA’s version of Mr. Irrelevant. The Lakers selected former Gonzaga University 7’ 263 lb. Center Robert Sacre.

However, unlike the NFL, the NBA will not fly Robert Sacre and his family into Southern California to take part in a week-long celebration in Newport Beach, CA that includes a golf tournament, a regatta, a roast giving advice to the new draftee and a ceremony awarding him the Lowsman trophy.

Robert Sacre’s four-year career at Gonzaga never screamed out “NBA player.” Rarely dominant, but always a big factor for the Bulldogs, Sacre averaged 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds & 1.4 blocks in 135 games. Going into the 2011-2012 season, Lindy’s Sports College Basketball rated Robert Sacre as the eighth best center in the nation as he averaged 12.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the 2011-2012 season.

The former Bulldog is the son of former NFL tight end Greg LaFleur who played for Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and the (then) St. Louis Cardinals in his five-year career. His son is a bouncy, strong and polished 7-footer and that caliber of player is usually earns minutes in the NBA. As a senior, Sacre was named the West Coast Conference 2012 defensive player of the year.

At Marquette, Darius Johnson-Odom was an underrated four-year starter in the Big East Conference. He averaged 15.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 105 career games. Going into the 2011-2012 season Lindy’s Sports College Basketball rated the former Golden Eagle as the 10th best shooting guard in the nation averaging 15.8 points per game and three rebounds per game.

Odom had a productive senior season, raising his scoring average to 18.3 points per game and ranking second in the Big East in scoring while leading Marquette to a 24-5 finish. He earned first team All-Big East honors. The new Laker is a reliable scorer and solid perimeter shooter. He possesses a good combination of quickness, ball-handling skills with either hand and the ability to change speeds and directions. Odom is a solid catch-and-shoot player that can also score off the dribble.

DraftExpress.com rated Odom as the 46th best prospect available although the Lakers had him rated at 30-40 on their board. His toughness and ability to score the ball could be enough for him to make the roster. This young man needs to be able to provide energy off the bench, to knock down open shots and guard both point and shooting guards. If he were three inches taller, Odom would have been a first round selection.