MORE: Latest Sporting News NBA Mock Draft | Rival says Okafor should go first
Los Angeles holds the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft, and the 6-11, 19-year-old center is a strong candidate to join Bryant in the City of Angels.
“When I first thought of the NBA, I always thought about the Lakers,” Okafor said about a potential future in Los Angeles. “They have a winning tradition. That’s what I want to be a part of.”
Okafor helped bring a NCAA championship to the Blue Devils in April, where he averaged 17.3 points a game on 66.4% shooting, along with 8.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the No. 1 overall pick for the June 25 draft, but he has yet to speak with the team. Okafor expects a conversation to happen sometime this week.
