Lakers Rumors: Team Could Trade 2nd Pick For All-Star Player
By Alex Torres
When the Lakers received the second pick overall in the 2015 NBA draft every one in Laker land was ecstatic. Not only did the Lakers avoid giving the pick to the Philadelphia 76ers, but they jumped to the second slot, which puts them in a great position.
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Most assumed the Lakers would select whichever big man the Timberwolves didn’t select and most signs point to Jahlil Okafor being there for the Lakers to take at the number two. Okafor was a consensus number one pick, so the Lakers would be getting a talented player who can play with his back to the basket.
Now, there’s been rumblings about possibly selecting Emmanuel Mudiay or D’Angelo Russell, both would be excellent choices to wear purple and gold. However, are the Lakers set on keeping the pick? According to Chad Ford of ESPN, the Lakers could deal the second overall selection for a young promising All-Star caliber player:
"And while the Lakers have publicly said their keeping the pick, there’s a growing feeling around the league that if they can land a young veteran for the pick, it’s available. The Lakers aren’t keen on rebuilding if they don’t have to. But it would have to take an All-Star caliber young player to make the deal."
Mitch Kupchak has been doing this for a very long time and he understands that there is no sure thing in this draft, so if the right offer comes along, don’t be surprised if the Lakers trade the pick.
Ford makes it clear that it would take a young All-Star caliber player, so it’s not like the Lakers are eager to get rid of the pick. However, a player like DeMarcus Cousins could be intriguing enough for the Lakers to pull the trigger. Cousins wants out of Sacramento and the Kings need to get something in return, so that’s where the Lakers come in to play.
It has to be a player like Cousins who is young and has already proven that he can play at an elite level. Anything less and the Lakers are not interested. Kupchak has some homework to do, what if one of these draft picks turns out to be the next great thing? Well, they have three weeks to get it right.