Lakers to workout projected top-five pick Jarrett Culver on Saturday

At long last, the Lakers will begin looking at prospects for their No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, starting with Jarrett Culver.

The Los Angeles Lakers will host Texas Tech wing Jarrett Culver for a pre-draft workout on Saturday, the team announced on Friday. Culver is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

The Texas native is coming off of a successful sophomore season at with the Red Raiders, where he averaged 18.5 points per game on 46.1 percent shooting from the field, including 30.4 percent shooting from behind the 3-point line. He led the Big 12 in total points (704) and finished third in points per game. Culver also contributed 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game, the fourth-most steals per game in the Big 12.

However, as impressive as he was offensively, his play on the defensive end is what solidified his status as a top-five pick.

Not only did Culver lead the Big 12 in Defensive Win Shares after finishing third behind Jevon Carter and Mohamed Bamba in the season prior, but he also led the NCAA in Defensive Win Shares (3.5). Statistically, he is the best defender in the draft and when you take a look at his measurements, it’s easy to see why.

At the draft combine in Chicago earlier this month, Culver measured in at 6’6.75” with shoes with a 6’9.5” wingspan and an 8’4.5” standing reach. At 194.2 lbs., he’s one of the lighter players in his class, but he still has decent size for either wing position and at just 20 years old, his body still has room to grow.

While some would argue Darius Garland, the flashy, 19-year-old point guard out of Vanderbilt, is the higher upside pick at No. 4, Culver is currently the better prospect and would be a fine selection when the Lakers are on the clock on June 20.

All stats are courtesy of sports-reference.com. For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow Christian on Twitter at @RadRivas.