Lakers: 3 Draft Night Scenarios the Lakers Must Avoid At All Costs

Draft night is finally here and the rumor mill is abuzz but the Los Angeles Lakers would be wise to tread lightly on this fated night

If you’ve had a chance to even glance at a site that is covering the NBA Draft — ESPN, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, etc. — then you’ve experienced firsthand just how crazy the reports/rumors/Tweets have gotten.

In specific regards to the Los Angeles Lakers, from suggestions that the team trade D’Angelo Russell because he’s “lost faith” with the organization and the respect of the rest of the league to comical mock drafts where LA selects Kris Dunn second overall, the world is truly on fire.

Don’t get me wrong, Dunn might prove to be the best player in the draft one day, but if you think that the Lakers would let Brandon Ingram fall to the Boston Celtics, you’re out of your mind.

Having said that, here are three things the Purple and Gold should avoid doing at all costs come draft time.

Trading the Pick + Something For Jimmy Butler

Fresh off the Derrick Rose trade to the New York Knicks, the Chicago Bulls made it public that they are “retooling, not rebuilding,” so trading Butler seems illogical, but some still seem to insist that the Lakers could actually use the second overall pick and part of their young core to serve as a waiving red cape.

Seeing how this “rumor” comes with no sources whatsoever, fans shouldn’t hold their breath one way or another, but considering the organization’s preference to expedite their rebuild, you know the Lakers would entertain the offer if the Bulls were game.

While I wouldn’t be opposed to a trade of Jimmy Butler for the second overall pick straight up, or even Butler for one member of our young core, it’s likely that the Bulls would ask for much more in return and that should be a deal breaker for LA.

Trading D’Angelo Russell

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Upon watching the rascals covering the draft over on ESPN, the staple of their broadcasting team seems to be the overwhelming desire for the Lakers to trade D’Angelo Russell.

Citing his immaturity and the fact that he “lost faith” with the organization after the Nick Young incident, ESPN has even gone so far to select Kris Dunn in the mock drafts to replace the “traded” Russell.

Mitch Kupchak has obviously heard the scoundrels trying to poison the well, addressing Russell himself, telling him “not to worry about it.” (Please don’t Robert Horry him. Please don’t Robert Horry him.)

Seeing how ESPN insists that his value is relatively low, what motivation would the Lakers have to trade him at this point in time? Could he really sink even lower?

Personally, I’m not worried about DLoading and you shouldn’t be either.

Not Trading Lou Williams

As discussed in a previous article, the time to trade Lou Williams was yesterday… or even yesterday’s yesterday.

In a short and sweet summation, if George Hill could bring in a haul of the 12th overall pick and now, Thursday, Thaddeus Young could fetch the 20th pick and a future second-rounder, then what are the Lakers waiting for?

Not only does Lou provide instant scoring, but the fact that he’s willing to come off the bench, has an extremely bargain bin-esque contract and doesn’t really fit into the Lakers’ plans going forward anyways make him completely expendable.

At this point, Mitch needs to take some advice from Byron Scott and just “man up” and make the move necessary to ensure for a better tomorrow.

Next: Lakers Should Try Trade For Another First Round Pick

However, with the draft just a few hours away, only time will tell exactly what goes down.