4. Trade a second-round pick in 2023 for a second-round pick in 2022
This is a significantly smaller move than the other moves on this list but it is still something that the Los Angeles Lakers should absolutely be looking to do this summer. The purple and gold do not have a single pick in the 2022 NBA Draft with decent odds of giving the New Orleans Pelicans a top-four pick in the draft.
While it is not a massive need, regardless of if the Lakers are able to trade Russell Westbrook or not the team is going to have to add depth to the roster. Minimum players can only take the team so far (as we saw this season) and the Lakers need to infuse some youth into the roster.
The Lakers are not going to find someone who raises their ceiling to a title contender in the second round but as we have seen in past years, the Lakers have a great eye for talent late in the draft. If there is any team we can trust to find a rotation player in the second round, it is the Lakers.
The Lakers have two picks in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft and every year we see teams trade second-round picks for future picks, whether it be financial reasons or because of a full roster. There will undoubtedly be a team in the second round this year that is willing to flip a second-round pick this year for a second-round pick next year.
With this pick, LA should be targeting prospects who are older and have multiple years of college experience that way they are more refined and ready to contribute. Their ceilings are obviously lower but the team would not be drafting on ceiling.