Los Angeles Lakers: 2 reasons why Rob Pelinka won’t trade the 22nd pick

1. The Los Angeles Lakers do not have much youth nor future picks

The Los Angeles Lakers need to build up the foundation of the future of the team. Every single LeBron James title-contending team is left in a much worse position than when James arrived (it usually being worth it as it results in a title).

The Lakers want to reap the benefits of getting that championship without having to be left like a barren landscape when LeBron’s contract is up. This is easier for the Lakers to forecast as well with James’ age.

A 22nd overall pick might not seem like that big of a deal but the Lakers have been really great at drafting quality rotation players late in the draft and it is safe to expect them to do it again. They have absolutely earned that benefit of the doubt.

The Lakers need to add that youth and potential as the team currently does not have much of that on the roster. Talen Horton-Tucker is the team’s one true young option with potential and he is a restricted free agent this offseason. Kyle Kuzma is who he is at this point in his career and him being traded seems more likely than ever.

The Lakers’ picks in the immediate future are all tied up to the New Orleans Pelicans as well. The Pelicans have the Lakers’ pick in 2022 as it deferred since they did not get it this year, have a pick swap in 2023 and have the right to the Lakers’ pick in 2024, or they could push it off one more year and get the 2025 pick.

There definitely are worse deals and that pick swap is really helpful for the Lakers but the fact remains that the Lakers need to maximize the picks that they do have.