Bender will be drafted by the Laker's

[KG Living Legend]

 It thought to be a lock last year, Town's #1 and Okafor #2 regardless of who won the top two spots.

 The Lakers pulled a shocker by selecting Russell ahead of Okafor, say what you want about that decision, but they certainly have the guts to make an unorthodox pick if they feel the talent is superior.

 With one GM stating he could easily see Bender being the best player in the draft down the road, you have to think that it's at least a real possibility.

 It's funny how fear or loss works, if that happened I'd be pumped to land Ingram and also disappointed to lose out on Bender.

[alldaboston]

I've secretly been hoping for this too

[dreamgreen]

I'm not going to pretend I know who to draft and who not too but IMO Ingram is the best player. He is exactly what the league is right now, skilled, great shooter and should be able to guard multiple positions in pick and rolls once he gets a little stronger.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Nah, the Lakers much prefer letting other teams develop the best centers, then the Lakers grab them in free agency or via lopsided trade.

[Who]

I didn't think J.Okafor deserved his status as a top 2 pick last season. I thought the Lakers made the right decision passing on him. I don't think that is the case this year. I think Ingram and B.Simmons are both correctly judged to be top 2 pick and clear separation from the pack.

[knuckleballer]

If they like Bender more than Ingram, it would make sense for them to try to swap picks with the Celtics and acquire one or both of the Celtic's later first round picks.  They have a thin roster, so that would make sense for them.  I would probably do it. 

[Donoghus]

We can only wish. 

Drafting Bender isn't the Lakers style.  They're going with the glitz & glamour of a Simmons or Ingram.  Their heir apparent to fill the void left by Kobe.  Bender isn't that splash.

[chambers]

The one GM that will potentially draft Bender at #2 is Collangelo. He's the guy that drafted Bargani and he loves Euros, but he's also one of the greatest drafting GM's in NBA history. Here's his list....

...Wesley Person (1st round, 23rd pick)
...Michael Finley (1st round, 21st pick)
...Steve Nash (1st round, 15th pick)
...Stephen Jackson (2nd round, 42nd pick)
... Shawn Marion (1st round, 9th pick)
...Jake Tsakalidis (1st round, 25th pick) - okay that was a miss Michael Redd would have been better.
...Amar'e Stoudemire (1st round, 9th pick)
...Zarko Cabarkapa (1st round, 17th pick) - okay another miss David West, Kendrick Perkins or Kyle Korver were on the board
...Luol Deng (1st round, 7th pick)
...Nate Robinson (1st round, 21st pick) and Marcin Gortat (2nd round, 57th pick)
...Andrea Bargnani (1st round, 1st pick) - miss LaMarcus Aldridge obviously better but this was Toronto.
...Roy Hibbert (1st round, 17th pick)
...DeMar DeRozan (1st round, 9th pick)
...Ed Davis (1st round, 13th pick) - miss Eric Bledsoe, Avery Bradley
...Jonas Valanciunas (1st round, 5th pick)
...Terrence Ross (1st round, 8th pick) - Should have picked Andre Drummond

[manl_lui]

this is also true, I mean Anthony Bennette at 1 was a surprised too was it not?

if either the 76ers or Lakers take someone else not named Simmons/Ingram, I say our 3rd pick really didn't turn out so bad. If Simmons/Ingram is still there at #3, shall we take or trade?

[TheSundanceKid]

If the Sixer's pick Ingram then LA will be creaming themselves over Simmons

[footey]

I didn't think J.Okafor deserved his status as a top 2 pick last season. I thought the Lakers made the right decision passing on him. I don't think that is the case this year. I think Ingram and B.Simmons are both correctly judged to be top 2 pick and clear separation from the pack.

They may have made the right decision to pass on him but not on Porzingis. I think they will always regret that.

[Tr1boy]

I think so too.  And we will draft Ingram. So everybody wins

[GreenWarrior]

no way.

[SHAQATTACK]

no way.

Double that

[alldaboston]

this is also true, I mean Anthony Bennette at 1 was a surprised too was it not?

if either the 76ers or Lakers take someone else not named Simmons/Ingram, I say our 3rd pick really didn't turn out so bad. If Simmons/Ingram is still there at #3, shall we take or trade?

Definitely take.