3 teams the Los Angeles Lakers can buy a second-round pick from

The Los Angeles Lakers do not currently have a pick in the 2022 NBA Draft but the team has the means to add a pick if desired. “Buying” a second-round pick is something we have covered here at Lake Show Life before, with the Lakers potentially trading one of two second-round picks next year for a second-round pick this year.

However, the Lakers have more resources than just flipping a second-round pick next year. The team also has cash that it can spend for a draft pick.

The Lakers have $4.7 million that they can use in a trade (or else it goes away at the start of the new league year) and John Hollinger of The Athletic reported that the Lakers might be interested in using that money for a second-round pick.

A second-round pick may not seem like a big deal for the Lakers but let’s not forget that the team has an excellent track record in scouting and developing later picks in the draft. There is already an intriguing target that the Lakers are potentially interested in as well that could make an impact next year.

But what teams can the Lakers target? Teams that have multiple picks in the second round or full rosters are the teams that are most likely to trade a second-round pick for cash.

Here are three teams the Los Angeles Lakers can “buy” a second-round pick from:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have three, yes three, second-round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft. If there was ever a team that has a reason to trade a second-round pick it is the Timberwolves. Minnesota also has the 19th overall pick in the draft.

Minnesota already has 11 players under contract next season and that is without the team potentially re-signing expiring players or signing new players to the team. Adding four picks would obviously cap them at 15, so it makes more sense for Minnesota to trade a pick than to keep it.

Minnesota has the 40th, 48th and 50th picks in the second round.

2. New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft thanks to the Los Angeles Lakers. New Orleans’ actual pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the 15th overall pick, belongs to the Charlotte Hornets.

The Pelicans also have two picks in the second round — picks 41 and 52. New Orleans has 14 players on the roster heading into the offseason, so trading a second-round pick should be in the cards.

3. Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are in a similar situation as the New Orleans Pelicans. Sacramento has the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft as well as two picks in the second round. The 37th pick is Sacramento’s original selection while the team has the 49th overall pick from the Chicago Bulls.

Sacramento has 11 players currently on the roster and that does not include several expiring contracts such as Justin Jackson and Donte DiVincenzo, who the team may look to re-sign. That obviously caps the roster, making Sacramento more likely to trade a second-round pick.