The possibility left Kentucky center Dakari Johnson feeling giddy.
The Lakers have a chance to nab his former teammate, Karl Anthony-Towns, with the No. 2 pick. That would set up a Wildcats frontcourt including Julius Randle.
“That would be great,” Johnson said on Monday after working out with the Lakers at their practice facility in El Segundo. “They’re two great players. Two Kentucky guys. So I’d be happy.”
Yet, that partnership may not just happen in dreams. Most mock NBA drafts project Anthony-Towns as the No. 1 pick over Duke’s Jahlil Okafor. Okafor is considered the best offensive big man, but has defensive limitations. Meanwhile, Johnson echoed what many feel about Anthony-Towns, calling him “very versatile and a hard worker.”
Johnson provided a similar description for Randle, who posted a nation-leading 24 double doubles his freshman year at University of Kentucky. The Lakers drafted Randle seventh overall last year, but he appeared in only the season opener before fracturing his right leg. But the Lakers expect him to return to training camp, if not summer league, after spending the past month working on full-contact two-on-two and three-on-three half-court drills.
“He was fearless. We had a lot of late night workouts going back and forth with each other,” Johnson said of Randle. “He’s a competitor like me. His jump shot is improving a lot more. He’s not afraid to take it.”
As for Johnson, he likened his game after Portland center Robin Lopez. The seven-foot, 265-pound Johnson averaged 6.4 points and 4.6 rebounds while playing behind Anthony Towns his sophomore season. He has only worked out with the Lakers thus far.
“I’m a tough competitor,” Johnson. “I like to win. I think that competitive edge will translate to the NBA.”
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