The Los Angeles Lakers have made a habit out of trading first-round draft picks for proven talent during the Rob Pelinka era. The most easily defensible examples of that trend are the respective trades for Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic, but it's been far from a superstar-exclusive decision.
After years of trading away what could've become quality and cost-friendly pieces, the Lakers are right back to where they started: Needing to trade a first-round pick for a meaningful upgrade.
Los Angeles has traded first-round draft picks in trades that brought in the likes of D'Angelo Russell, Dennis Schröder, and Russell Westbrook. Unfortunately, all three of the Lakers' ambitious acquisitions were off the roster before they could play two full seasons with the team.
Fast forward to the days leading into 2026 and the Lakers will likely need to pay a similar price to upgrade in a new area of need: Perimeter defense.
Los Angeles has been linked to a number of intriguing names, with Keon Ellis and Herbert Jones surfacing as dream targets. Unfortunately, Dan Woike of The Athletic recently reported that the New Orleans Pelicans are asking for a return that the Lakers can't match, while Ellis carries a price tag of a protected first-round draft pick.
Perhaps the Lakers will find a way to complete a trade without giving up yet another first-round draft pick, but years of short-term thinking continues to cost Pelinka the opportunity to sustainably improve.
Potential trade for defense likely to cost Lakers another first-round pick
Los Angeles won a championship and reached a second Conference Finals with its bold strategy of effectively disregarding NBA Draft flexibility for a shot at immediate success. As such, Pelinka has been vindicated to some degree for his gambles.
Unfortunately, the long-term ramifications continue to be felt as Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, and Adou Thiero are the only drafted players on the roster—and none play consistent roles in the rotation.
To make matters worse, Los Angeles has a grand total of zero second-round draft picks between 2026 and 2031. As such, it simply lacks the resources to pull off the type of move that brought Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers in 2024-25.
Los Angeles is also already down its 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks, although it does have each of its selections between 2030 and 2032.
Lakers short on trade options, internal growth due to lack of draft picks
In a perfect world, Los Angeles would follow the trend that's become impossible to ignore amongst the NBA's contemporary contenders and utilize its draft picks to build out its roster. In the process, it would find a way to both bolster the rotation and improve without incurring veteran costs.
Unfortunately, trading for immediate help will likely conflict with that dream—and another outgoing first-round draft pick could put Los Angeles back in the hunt for impact players who are willing to sign for the veteran minimum.
It's a strategy that's paid off at times, with Marcus Smart being the shining example in 2025-26. The inherent nature of such an approach, however, is that it's banking on players who are either past their prime or overcome by injuries to challenge a trend that's depleted their market value.
Drafting a player, however, would permit the Lakers to sign an up-and-comer to a multi-year contract at a similarly low price while having a chance to mold them into a system fit.
With Doncic soon to turn 27 and thus enter his athletic prime, however, the clock is ticking for Los Angeles to improve the team around him. Trading a 2031 first-round draft pick wouldn't necessarily sting in the short term, but the depletion of draft assets has limited the Lakers' internal growth and even prohibited it from making bigger supplementary trades that may require multiple picks.
As the 2026 NBA trade deadline grows closer, one simply can't ignore how the Lakers are back in a familiar place as they debate the value of their limited trade options against a first-round pick.