Los Angeles Lakers: 2 trades to get the Lakers into the lottery

By Jason Reed | Nov 4, 2020

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at The Arena in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 1, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Trade up to 14 with the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have the last pick of the lottery this year as they own the rights to the Memphis Grizzlies’ first-round selection. Boston general manager Danny Ainge is very savvy with his draft picks and I would not be shocked to see him turn that pick into current talent.

The Celtics could use a playmaking four off the bench like Kyle Kuzma, especially if the team ends up parting ways with Gordon Hayward, which seems like a real possibility.

Kuzma would essentially replace Hayward in the rotation and be a cheaper option for the Celtics to pursue greener pastures without losing too much in that role.

In return, the Celtics would have to trade Vincent Poirier to make this deal work financially. Poirier is a very backend rotation piece that the Celtics would not think twice about losing.

Instead of picking a potential project with the 14th pick, the Celtics get talent that is already developed while staying in the first round. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers move on from Kuzma and trade one guaranteed year of him (he is a restricted free agent after the season) to snag someone who they may like with the 14th pick.

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