Recent Lakers rumors are that they are trying to make the most of the upcoming talented draft by attempting to get an additional first-round pick.
There have been plenty of Lakers rumors surrounding the team in recent days. Now, it appears that they are trying to acquire another pick in the NBA Draft.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers are looking to acquire a first-round pick to add to the 2nd and 28th they already possess to address their most glaring needs, defense and shooting.
Lakers trying to acquire *another* first round pick. Have called at least 2 other lottery teams https://t.co/LGJgLa48ry
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 19, 2017
This news could also mean that Magic & co. are targeting a particular player they do not believe to be available at 28th.
With Lonzo Ball or Josh Jackson a lock with the 2nd pick, we hope the Lakers can make a Larry Nance kind of selection and pull out a major contributor off the mid-low first round, something Buss and Kupchak proved to be really good at in the past. They selected Nance with the 27th and Clarkson and Zubac in the second round.
At this point, it seems unlikely that Lakers’ front office will trade down in the draft losing their 2nd pick to acquire two first-rounders. It seems equally unlikely that they sacrifice one of their young players.
They are probably trying to get that pick the same way they got Jordan Clarkson, buying it with cash. But in such a deep draft it is hard to find teams willing to part with their pick ‘just’ for money without getting any talent in return.
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It does not look an easy task for L.A., but another first-round talent to add to the young core would certainly be a welcomed acquisition and a further step toward the bright future of the franchise. With the draft just a few days away, expect to see plenty of rumors coming out of Los Angeles until the big day.