SB Nation Mock Draft: The Los Angeles Lakers select Rashad Vaughn

The Los Angeles Lakers select Rashad Vaughn from UNLV

From Silver Screen and Roll: Vaughn's a player the Lakers took a look at during the pre-draft workout process and fills out many needs. He's one of the youngest players in the draft at 18 but has great size to play shooting guard at the NBA level. His potential as a physical, athletic defender is really the cherry on top for why LA singled him out. He shot 38.3 percent from deep in college and proved capable of hitting from NBA-three range. The Lakers desperately need help on the perimeter offensively, and Vaughn is an intriguing prospect to work with.

Kevin: I like Vaughn’s game for the most part. He’s got an NBA body at the age of 18, he’s a confident shooter and he’s a decent defender.

Lucas: Vaughn is the type of prospect NBA front offices tend to fall in love with, standing at 6’5" with a 6’7" wingspan, Vaughn has the prototypical size and length for the shooting guard position, and at just 18 years old, he practically oozes potential.  Vaughn didn’t jump up the board as I expected him to do because of his age, but that is just fine with the Lakers, as they pick a very nice prospect in Vaughn. he is an above average three point shooter, as he knocked down 38.3% of his shots from deep during his lone season for the Runnin’ Rebels. He also showed the ability to fill up the stat sheet, as he averaged 17.8 points per game. His assist to turnover ratio (1.6 assists to 2.2 turnovers per game) is concerning, even for a shooting guard, but one should expect that to improve as he matures. He will also need to make considerable improvements on the defensive end, luckily for him, the Lakers are in no position to make the playoffs next year (sorry, Lakers fans) which should allow them to take their time and develop him properly.

Dontae: A respectable pick. Vaughn is the type of player that he doesn’t "wow" you with his game, but you look up after a few minutes and all of a sudden he has 20 points. Vaughn can score. Off the dribble, curling around screens, at the basket, in contact, in isolations, Vaughn can score. He’s a solid defender with ok size (6’5", 6’7"wingspan) that won’t lock anyone down, but he will make them work for their opportunities (think along the lines of a Danny Green or a Klay Thompson).

Vaughn has the Lou Williams, Jamal Crawford mentality that the Lakers should utilize well off the bench for years to come.

Taylor: Vaughn is the second youngest player in this draft and has a tendency to play like he's Skip To My Lou down at Rucker Park. He can be a little too flashy at times and I'm not sure LA is the best spot for him. Can Kobe keep him in line? Nick Young says no, but I'm not sure anyone could keep Swaggy P in line.

Vaughn is a solid scorer, though, and his length gives him the ability to be a great defender if he can get his head into it. His biggest weaknesses are his free throw shooting and his basketball IQ, but if he can stay focused he has the potential.

Kevin: Who wouldn't be entertained by him and Swaggy P on the court at the same time?  I do think he develops into a decent overall role player in the league, but starting off with this Laker team is not the place to do it.