While Lakers fans are becoming more and more entrenched in the prospects of a top-10 pick joining the purple and gold, Mitch Kupchak may be looking to pull off another impossible trade to get the Lakers another first-round pick
Mitch Kupchak says he is willing to trade current pick (1-9) for good offer. Also wants to trade for another pick for middle/late 1st round
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 16, 2014
While Kupchak reaffirmed that the Lakers would be willing to trade their current first-round pick for the right deal, he also brought up the idea of moving back into the first round with a secondary first-round pick. Without a plethora of assets, it would likely take something special for the Lakers to move back into the first round.
The likeliest of targets include Phoenix, who own a late lottery pick, the 18th pick, and the 27th pick and Chicago also own the 16th and 20th picks. With the option to send cash in exchange for a pick (essentially buying a pick), many teams in the bottom of the first round could be looking to sell their pick.
In terms of tradeable assets, the Lakers are certainly low on them. Currently, only Robert Sacre, Steve Nash, and Kobe Bryant are guaranteed to be under contract for next season. Both Ryan Kelly and Kendall Marshall are expected to be back, but none of those are enough to warrant a first-round pick. Kupchak and the Buss family will certainly have to get creative to bring in another first round pick.
The Lakers have been doing their due diligence, interviewing multiple players at the draft combine. With the option to bring in 18 players for workouts, the Lakers will get a look at more than enough prospects for the future. With the top prospects like Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, and Jabari Parker skipping out on the combine, you can guarantee those three will be brought in.
The Lakers draft fate will be determined on Tuesday when the draft lottery takes place.