NBA Draft: Lakers work out Gonzaga's Zach Collins in case they trade down in draft

EL SEGUNDO >> As they strive to accelerate their rebuilding process without compromising their long-term assets, the Lakers have seemingly kept an open mind on every possible scenario.

Most in NBA circles project the Lakers will select UCLA guard Lonzo Ball with their No. 2 pick on Thursday, but they have done their due diligence, working out Kansas guard/forward Josh Jackson, Kentucky guard De’Aaron Fox and Washington guard Markelle Fultz. While the Lakers have not offered any indication they are involved in trade talks with the Indiana Pacers for veteran forward Paul George, they have said they would entertain trade offers as long as they do not significantly compromise their young core.

The Lakers have downplayed the possibility they would trade the No. 2 pick, but that didn’t stop them from working out Gonzaga forward Zach Collins on Monday. Collins is a projected top-10 pick, but he doesn’t figure to be in play for the Lakers unless they trade down in the draft.

“It’s pretty cool to stand out among other guards,” Collins said at the Lakers’ practice facility. “A lot of teams need wings right now.”

Plenty of NBA teams want players such as Collins, who averaged 10 points and shot 65 percent during his lone season at Gonzaga. The 7-foot, 230-pounder projects as a stretch-four with his ability to play several frontcourt roles.

“A guy that can shoot the ball on the floor and post up on offense, that’s going to be a guy that’s going to do really well in the NBA, especially when I get stronger and older and stuff like that,” Collins said. “On the defensive end, there’s a lot of things I think I can do that most big men can’t. On both sides of the ball, being able to do multiple things will help a lot, especially in today’s NBA.”

Collins acknowledged he “didn’t shoot great until the end.” But after having individual workouts with Orlando, Minnesota, Sacramento, Dallas and Phoenix, Collins believes he benefited from competing in a group workout on Monday. He competed against Clemson senior guard Avry Holmes, Creighton senior forward Cole Huff, UC Irvine senior guard Luke Nelson, Columbia senior forward Luke Petrasek and Alabama-Huntsville senior forward Sean Webster.

“It was really fun. It’s a lot easier when you have guys going and you don’t have every rep. You get a little gassed in those 1-on-0 workouts,” Collins said. “But a group workout is fun. When you’re by yourself, there’s not a lot of energy. There’s no one talking and clapping and the gym isn’t very loud. It’s kind of weird. With a bunch of people here and the energy is constant the whole time and you get to compete with somebody, it makes the experience a lot better.”

Barring any surprises, the Lakers do not have any more workouts planned after watching 99 prospects in person over the past month. Collins was among many who appreciated a chance to train in front of Lakers president Magic Johnson and coach Luke Walton. Collins mused, “they’re taller than I expected.”

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“You don’t want to act too star-struck,” Collins said. “It’s Magic Johnson. It’s really nice to meet these guys. They got a good thing going here.”

Worldly perspective

Four seasons at UC Irvine gave Nelson good insight on the Lakers’ fanbase.

“Very committed,” Nelson, said, laughing.

Yet, Nelson did not necessarily grow up as a Lakers fan. An English native, Nelson followed the NBA with an objective eye. Nelson has a connection though to Lakers forward Luol Deng, who played for the British national team in the 2012 Olympics. Deng passed along supportive messages to Nelson, who competed for the British under-16 and under-18 teams.

“That stuck with me. My age group made some big movements in England,” Nelson said. “For him to see that and appreciate, that was special for us.”