The Los Angeles Lakers have completed the move that fans have been waiting for. With their backs against the wall and a late second-round pick their only method of sustainable improvement, Los Angeles traded up 10 spots in advance of the second night of the 2025 NBA Draft.
In the process, the Lakers have secured a golden opportunity to the land biggest steal of the annual selection process: Stanford center Maxime Raynaud.
Los Angeles was slated to have the No. 55 overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. Quality talent can still be found at that stage, but the introduction of NIL has led many to fear that landing a rotational player in the mid-to-late 50s will be even more challenging than it already was.
Facing that possibility, the Lakers sent the No. 55 pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls for the No. 45 overall selection. Per Shams Charania of ESPN:
The Los Angeles Lakers are moving up in the second round of the NBA Draft tonight, acquiring the No. 45 pick from the Chicago Bulls for No. 55 and cash, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
There's no guaranteeing they'll still be on the board, but Los Angeles could now have a golden opportunity to add a massive steal of a selection in Raynaud.
Lakers move up 10 picks to No. 45, could have shot at Maxime Raynaud
Raynaud is a 7'0.25" and 237-pound center with a 7'1.25" wingspan and 9'2" standing reach. In additional to checking the boxes as far as measurements are concerned, he's surprisingly athletic for a player his size, possessing the ability to comfortably play above the rim.
For a Lakers team in need of lob targets and depth at center, Raynaud seems to check the boxes they're looking for at the 5-spot.
Beyond his physical attributes, Raynaud is one of the most intriguing prospects left on the board. He's a skilled center who refined his game across four seasons at Stanford and ultimately became one of the more intriguing 3-and-D bigs in the country.
Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports compared him to NBA champion Brook Lopez—an apt comparison considering his ability space the floor, protect the paint, and fit the modern game.
Raynaud finished the 2024-25 season averaging 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.7 offensive boards, 1.7 assists, 1.4 blocks, 0.9 steals, and 1.9 three-point field goals made per game. He shot 35.0 percent from beyond the arc over the past two seasons, as well as 77.5 percent at the free throw line.
A 3-and-D big with both pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop potential, there's instant reason for intrigue as far as the Lakers' modern offense is concerned.
Defensively, Raynaud has proven capable of making his mark on the glass and as a playmaker. He increased his per-40 averages in blocks and steals across each of his seasons with the Cardinal, and has untapped potential the Lakers could still explore.
Raynaud may not be available by No. 45, but if he is, the Lakers could land the biggest steal of the draft after completing a necessary trade to move up 10 spots.