Lakers Looking To Move Into First Round Of NBA Draft

Jim Buss doesn’t think his team needs to make any drastic moves yet he’s talking about making moves of the drastic nature. If that sounds confusing to you then think what must be mulling around in the head of basketball’s most iconic trust fund baby.

In an interview with T.J. Simers, Jim Buss discussed his view of the disappointing Lakers. During his talk with T.J., Buss explicitly said there would be “No” major free-agent signings or blockbuster trades.

OK…fine…stupid call but it’s his team. Good luck with that approach. To Buss keeping the Kobe, Bynum and Pau core is crucial.

Here is where Young Buss begins to confuse us all or he’s tipping his hand when he discusses the upcoming draft.

"“We have the draft coming up and we’re trying to trade up into the first round.”"

Great! Grand! Wonderful! Getting into the first round! Let’s do it!

Wait…how is that going to happen if he’s not going to trade Gasol? I mean what other parts do the Lakers have to move in order to get a first round pick? Sure, you could trade future picks but haven’t the Lakers done enough of that already?

The original Gasol deal gave away two first rounders and the recent Ramon Sessions acquisition, which could prove to be a 23-game rental, also sent out this year’s first round pick for the Lakers. At some point you’ve got to start holding onto picks in order to help infuse new talent into a roster badly in need of young legs.

As it stands the Lakers are looking at the final pick in the entire draft as their lone means to acquire talent outside of the free agency and trade channels. That’s not likely to be a position where they’ll find immediate help.

So how exactly is Jim Buss selling Mitch Kupchak on the idea of trading into the first round? Andrew Bynum is off limits. Kobe is untradeable. And supposedly Gasol is going to be welcomed back. Supposedly…

No matter what trust fund Buss has planned he’d better make sure he knows what he’s doing. I’m willing to let all the poor communication, rushed hiring of Mike Brown and general disinterest he showed last season to be passed of as growing pains. But the honeymoon is over. Jim Buss needs to get with the program and start finding ways to mold a championship roster. Laker fans aren’t going to keep dropping coin on expensive tickets to watch an on-court experiment. If we wanted that we’d hit up Clipper Darrell for seats.