Devin Ebanks

The Lakers had signed their second round draft picks, Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter, long before training camp started. Ebanks's contract was already guaranteed, while Caracter's, in a story originally reported by this website, became guaranteed if he weighed 275lbs or less on September 10th. (He did this emphatically; in fact, he damn near weighed 175lbs instead.)

Devin Ebanks

Given time, Ebanks will be able to do a decent if slightly lesser impression of Trevor Ariza during his Lakers days. Ebanks can't dribble or shoot, but he will run the court and defend whomever you want him to. I have been saying this since about February 2009, so the fact that Ebanks is now a Laker is pretty cool. It gives me the opportunity to say it for another seven years.

Pick 43: Still not quite recovered from his bout of Pneumonia, Sexy Silver announces that Atlanta has traded Damion Jones to New Jersey, not Damion James. He then announces that the L.A. Lakers have picked Butler's WVU teammate, Devin Ebanks.

You were all witnesses when I said two weeks ago that Ebanks would do a decent impression of a Lakers-era Trevor Ariza, right? Right. Well, then.

Ebanks can't dribble or shoot, and thus will always need the benefit of a good system if he is to shine. However, he is a good and versatile defender, who can and will run the court, score from within 15 feet, and pass reasonably well. The Lakers and the triangle are a good fit for him in this regard, just as they were for Ariza and Shannon Brown before him. Unfortunately, his highlight montage includes a clip of him being called for a foul on Tyler's brother Ben Hansbrough, but never mind.

Whoever drafts Devin Ebanks should enjoy a few good years of a Lakers-era Trevor Ariza.