Mar 21, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) shoots between Gonzaga Bulldogs center
Przemek Karnowski(24) and guard
David Stockton(11) in the first half of a men
7. Los Angeles Lakers – Marcus Smart
There is a lot of talk that the Lakers are actively shopping the seventh pick. In one of the hottest rumors out there, they have talked to the 76ers about a trade where they would send Steve Nash and the 7th pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Michael Carter-Williams. I don’t think this is a trade that the 76ers should do.
Nash has one year remaining on his contract, and then more than likely he will retire. Carter-Williams is the reigning Rookie of the Year and has a very bright future. It makes no sense to me why Philadelphia would just let him go for a guy that won’t play much this year and will be gone next year. On top of that, they are already young and in a rebuilding process. Making this trade will push their rebuild process back even farther.
There are other trades that supposedly the Lakers have received about this pick, but I think they end up staying put here. When they do stay put, I see them taking Smart. Since Nash will most likely retire after the season, and since they couldn’t trade his contract, they will need a point guard to replace him. Smart is a great player, except his shooting ability is being questioned.
Smart struggled to shoot from the floor his freshman season. He decided to stay in school another year, and his jump shot still was a struggle. He has the ability to make plays in other areas though. He is great on the defensive end, as well as making drives to the basket and getting to the free throw line. There is questions if his shot will ever improve, but if you put him on a team with Kobe Bryant, he could get put in line quickly.