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NBA Mock Draft 3.0 — Atlanta Hawks Win Number One Pick

By Dallin Duffy

ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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NBa Mock Draft
COLLEGE PARK, MD – MARCH 08: Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins is introduced before a college basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Xfinity Center on March 8, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

29. player. Scouting Report. Jalen Smith. PF, Maryland. Los Angeles Lakers. 20. Pick Analysis

I’d be surprised if the win-now Lakers didn’t try and trade this pick for a veteran who can contribute right away, but if they do keep it, Smith is a nice grab for them. He made both the Big-Ten First Team and All-Defense teams, taking majors strides in his second season under Mark Turgeon.

Smith improved his field goal percentage up to 54 percent from 49 as a freshman, taking over an extra shot per game. Defensively, his block totals nearly doubled in similar minutes, as his steals. He’s both strong and tall enough to protect the point, agile and long to defend on the perimeter. He’s perhaps the most switch-able big in the class.

He really excels on the glass, however, and should be able to grab a good amount of boards from his debut on. Questions about his upside are warranted, and Smith likely won’t become this draft’s Pascal Siakam or anything. He should be a solid role player in the league, however, and trade bait/injury insurance for the Lakers.