Los Angeles Lakers could benefit from trading down in the 2020 NBA Draft

The Los Angeles Lakers have the 28th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and could move even lower.

The Los Angeles Lakers, fresh off of winning the NBA Championship and having the third-best regular-season record in the league, will select 28th in the 2020 NBA Draft.

This is one of few picks that did not get touched by the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis trade. The 2021, 2023 and 2024 picks are all either going to New Orleans straight-up or as part of a potential pick swap. The Lakers also traded the fourth overall pick in last year’s draft.

With this being the case, many may expect the Lakers to hold onto their draft pick or even attempt to move up in the draft if they can. However, the Lakers have tangible reasons to want to trade down in the 2020 NBA Draft to pick up multiple second-round picks.

Why it would not be surprising to see the Los Angeles Lakers trade down in the 2020 NBA Draft:

First of all, it all depends on how the draft shakes up and who is still available. If there is a lottery-worthy pick that somehow falls to the Lakers then this might not happen. However, there are several names that make sense for the Lakers that could go in the second round.

In the latest episode of the Lake Show Life Podcast, Daniel Preciado highlighted two potential targets for the Lakers in the draft: Gonzaga big man Killian Tillie and Charlestown guard Grant Tiller.

Both of which could be selected with the 28th overall pick but they both fall as low as the second round in certain mock drafts. Depending on how the draft is playing out, and who the Lakers actually like, it makes more sense to execute a two-for-one.

We should trust the Los Angeles Lakers. They have countless examples of late first and second-round picks that end up becoming legitimate NBA contributors. If they like guys in the second round then chances are they will be solid.

Plus, in the second round, the Lakers can still get guys like Tillie or Riller that have college experience. When you are a contending team in the NBA you want to get experienced players out of the draft as they can contribute in the NBA quicker.

Think Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma is not even close to the player that Brandon Ingram is overall, but he was better right away as a result of his college experience.

There are multiple teams that have two picks in the early second round as well. New Orleans and Philadelphia both have two picks in the 12 picks of the second round. If there is someone that either team really likes at 28 then we could absolutely see a two-for-one trade down.

At the end of the day, it depends on who the Los Angeles Lakers really value in the 2021 NBA Draft. However, I would not be shocked to see them move down in the order.