Los Angeles Lakers: Why LA should trade down in the 2021 NBA Draft

By Jason Reed | Jun 29, 2021

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers (L) talks with head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers (R) during the 2019 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers need to fill out a complete roster

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to be a contending team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis and it would be shocking if the team did not make some improving move that helps their chances next season.

The most likely move to make is a Dennis Schroder sign-and-trade, as the team can use his Bird Rights to essentially bring in another free agent on the team. This would take a player like Mike Conley or Kyle Lowry wanting to force their way to LA, but it could happen and has happened before.

The problem with a sign-and-trade, which is really the only way for the Lakers to add a truly impactful player unless they want to just run it back with Schroder, is that the Lakers become hard-capped at the tax apron. They cannot go over, and with Luol Deng’s $5 million cap hit, it gets close.

We fell just under it in our dream offseason pitch earlier this week.

Adding two players for cheaper makes it easier for the Lakers to put together an entire roster. Sure, they may not be rotation players right away but it would help the team get from 12-13 players on the roster to 14-15.

dark. Next. 10 most disappointing seasons in Lakers history

We know they would have potential if the Los Angeles Lakers drafted them, so for that reason, it may make more sense for the Lakers to go this route.

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