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Doug McDermott, Aaron Gordon take part in spirited workout for Lakers

Creighton forward Doug McDermott drives against Drake's Jeremy Jeffers during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game.
(Matt Miller / Associated Press)
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The Lakers held a spirited workout for NBA draft prospects on Wednesday afternoon, featuring forwards Doug McDermott and Aaron Gordon.

“We really got after it,” said McDermott, a 6-foot-8 senior from Creighton. “I thought it was a great day.”

“It was fun to get out here and compete,” said 6-foot-9 Arizona freshman Aaron Gordon. “This is the first time I’ve competed against anybody in a while.”

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The afternoon session also included Louisiana-Lafayette point guard Elfrid Payton and Kentucky shooting guard James Young. Nik Stauskas (Michigan) and Rodney Hood (Duke) were originally scheduled to work out Wednesday, but were late cancellations.

The Lakers have the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.

McDermott admitted to being a little nervous, getting a chance to impress the Lakers’ front office.

“This is a dream come true. This is my first workout, so I was a nervous little to start -- especially it being the Lakers,” he said. “It went really well. It’s just a privilege to be here.”

McDermott is a strong outside shooter, hitting 45.8% over his four-year college career. He’s hoping to show teams that he can do more than just knock down shots.

“Ball handling and lateral quickness -- my jumper is always going to be there, I’ve just got to work on the in-between stuff,” said McDermott. “I think it’s really important for me to show off my athletic ability, that people don’t think I have, but I think I really showcased that today and at the [NBA] combine [in Chicago] as well.”

Position may be a question for McDermott in the NBA. He played power forward through much of his time at Creighton.

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“I have to get a lot bigger. I’m not going to grow anymore so I have to hit the weight room hard. That will allow me to guard a four at times,” he said. “In college I guarded a lot of strong guys. I think I can adjust once I get a little stronger, but as of now, I’m going to have to guard a three and possibly some twos and I think I can do it.”

Gordon’s biggest strength is his ability to defend.

“I can guard a plethora of different positions,” said Gordon. Where he needs to improve most is at the free throw line where he shot only 42.2% through 38 games at Arizona.

The athletic Gordon is confident he’ll improve his shooting, given his work ethic.

“This wasn’t my first workout of the day,” said Gordon. “Kobe [Bryant is] psychotic about basketball and I am too. That would be absolutely incredible, learning from a great just the little intricacies of the game, details. I would love to see his work ethic. Kobe is the definition of a true pro.”

Gordon could be available when the Lakers pick at seven. McDermott projects to be a little bit lower.

“I’ve been told four to eight,” said Gordon of where he expects to go in the draft. He’s already worked out with the Sacramento Kings (eight pick). He’ll visit the Utah Jazz (fifth) next followed by the Boston Celtics (sixth) and Orlando Magic (fourth).

Offensively, Gordon hopes to develop into a play-making forward.

“A point forward,” he said. “I played point forward my entire life and at the next level I want to be a forward and then develop into that.”

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Earlier in the day, the Lakers worked out point guards Tyler Ennis (Syracuse) and Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State), power forward Noah Vonleh (Indiana) and shooting guards Gary Harris (Michigan State) and Zach LaVine (UCLA).

The Lakers also looked at three players hoping to work their way into the second round: shooting guards Davion Berry (Weber State) and Jerry Evans (Nevada), and power forward Brendan Lane (Pepperdine).

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.

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