The Los Angeles Lakers thought they had a real shot at Andrew Nembhard in the 2022 NBA Draft. Sitting at pick No. 35, they were ready to pounce if he slid just a few more spots.
The Indiana Pacers beat them to it, grabbing the savvy Gonzaga guard at No. 31. Looking back at the moment now, that missed opportunity stings more than ever.
“There is an alternate universe where he’s a Laker,” said Jovan Buha on his Buha’s Block podcast. “Because one fun fact is that the pick the Lakers used Max Christie on, they were hoping Nembhard was going to slip, but he went 31st to Indiana.”
Andrew Nembhard became everything Lakers were looking for
Since that draft, Nembhard has blossomed into exactly the kind of player the Lakers crave. He is smart, unselfish, and does not need the ball to make an impact.
He defends at a high level, and keeps the offence humming. Most importantly, Nembhard does not shrink from pressure. In fact, he seems to thrive in it.
Just look at this past postseason. Nembhard averaged 12.5 points while hitting a ridiculous 46.5 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, helping lead the Pacers all the way to the NBA Finals. He took on huge responsibilities, especially with Tyrese Haliburton in and out of the lineup, and never looked rattled.
His postseason success was not the only thing that was impressive. During the regular season, he was able to earn the Defensive Player of the Month award in January, and he nearly made an All-Defense team before falling just short of the eligibility threshold.
Let’s just say his rise has made more than a few front offices wince, and Laker fans can’t help but imagine how he would have looked in purple and gold. But of course, the story does not end there.
The Lakers used that same pick to take Max Christie, who eventually became part of the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks and brought Luka Doncic to Los Angeles. So, if they had landed Nembhard, there is technically a chance that the deal never happens.
In that sense, it worked out. Doncic has changed the trajectory of the franchise. But the “what if” still lingers. What if they somehow could have had both? Nembhard’s success is a reminder of how fragile draft boards really are. One pick, one surprise, and the future can change completely.
All in all, the Lakers might be thrilled with Doncic now, but that does not erase the memory of the guard they just barely missed. And with Nembhard still getting better, that miss will not fade any time soon.