Los Angeles Lakers News: Darius Johnson-Odom, Robert Sacre Join L.A. after 2012 NBA Draft

For yet another season, the Lakers did not have a first-round selection in the NBA Draft.

However, L.A. did make a deal to acquire another team's pick. Los Angeles received Darius Johnson-Odom, the 55th pick, from the Mavericks, in exchange for cash considerations.

Johnson-Odom went late in the draft, but was one of the best players in the Big East last year. He helped Marquette become the second-best team in the conference, and they finished the season ranked No. 10 in the nation.

The guard is known for his ability to shoot the ball. He made 38.5 percent of his shots from three-point range in 2011-12. He led the Golden Eagles with 18.3 points per game. He also grabbed 3.5 rebounds and dished out 2.7 assists per contest.

The 22-year-old has a very good all-around game. He was named Marquette's defensive player of the year in his sophomore season. He was also named to the first team All-Big East in his final year.

The biggest concern with Johnson-Odom is his size.

He's listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, which is very small for a shooting guard in the NBA. Johnson-Odom will be asked to play some point guard in the pros, and he hasn't shown the ability to play the position at a high level. His inability to create plays for others could prevent him from ever becoming a full-time starter.

Johnson-Odom, though, has a lot of confidence, comparing himself to James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

We kind of are the same people, said Johnson-Odom. He's a little taller than me, but, we are the same.

The Marquette standout isn't the only new Laker. Los Angeles took Robert Sacre with the 60th and final pick of the 2012 NBA Draft.

Sacre was one of the oldest players to be taken on Thursday night. The seven-footer played at Gonzaga for five seasons, and will enter the league at 23 years old.

The center was never dominant in college, but had a lot of success playing for the Bulldogs. He reached the NCAA Tournament every single season, and was a consistent contributor on a winning team. Sacre averaged 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in the 2011-12 Season.

Los Angeles hopes Sacre can give them some production off the bench, but he isn't expected to be a star in the NBA. He's not a good rebounder for his size, and doesn't always play like a seven-footer. His lack of explosiveness also has some concerned that he won't be a success in the pros.

With Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum still on the team, Sacre won't be asked to do much next year. Sacre doesn't expect to go to Los Angeles and be a star.

I am so excited to be a part of a program like that, a prestigious team, said Sacre. Whatever I need to do to help my team, that's what I need to do.

Sacre is a decent scorer when he gets the ball in the low post. He's also pretty good from the free throw line for a big man. He shot 76.1 percent from the charity stripe this past season.

L.A. hasn't had a first round selection since 2009, and they eventually traded that player, Toney Douglas, to the Knicks.

It's the second time in seven years that the Lakers have taken a center from Gonzaga. They drafted Ronny Turiaf in 2005.

Sacre is a native of Canada, and comes from an athletic family. His mom, Leslie Sacre, played basketball at LSU. His dad, Greg LaFleur, played six years in the NFL as a tight end.