5. Package draft pick in a trade for an All-Star
The one and only outcome that would cause more chaos than drafting Bronny James at No. 17 overall is if the pick were packaged in a trade for an All-Star. It would be a last-ditch effort to help LeBron James and Anthony Davis deliver an 18th championship banner—and likely a response to the Boston Celtics hanging theirs.
It would also result in financial repercussions that would put the future of the Los Angeles Lakers in question, even if the short-term would be exciting.
Names that have commonly come up and could potentially be targeted include Brandon Ingram, Dejounte Murray, and Trae Young. All three will likely be on the radar on draft night, as the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans are at the proverbial roster crossroads.
Los Angeles has also been linked to Cleveland Cavaliers stars Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, although there's doubt as to whether or not they're still available.
It must be noted that a trade for a star-caliber player would cost more than just the Lakers' 2024 first-round draft pick. Rui Hachimura would likely be shipped out due to his contract helping to make the numbers align, and Austin Reaves could go with him.
Throw in the potential inclusion of a total of three first-round draft picks and the Lakers would be mortgaging their future for a third star without any type of financial flexibility to build a coherent roster around them.
Consider the internet broken.