The NBA Draft is finally here and the Los Angeles Lakers have the second, 27th, and 28th overall picks. The 27th pick was just recently acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in the D’Angelo Russell trade, but it appears as though it may get moved again.
The Lakers have looked at a number of different trade options, including discussions to land superstar forward Paul George of the Indiana Pacers. According to Mark Medina of the Southern California News Group, they could also package the 27th and 28th picks together to attempt to move up in the draft and may also try to purchase a second round pick:
Look for Lakers possibly to use 27 & 28 picks to go up higher in draft and/or buy second-round pick.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) June 22, 2017
It appears that the Lakers are set on taking UCLA guard Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick and don’t intend to trade it, but after that it’s anyone’s guess what they will do. They appear to be determined to be aggressive on the trade market.
Of course, the 27th and 28th picks could wind up being included in a trade for a player like George, and it’s also possible that they are attempting to move up in the draft in order to obtain a better asset to send to Indiana.
The Lakers have had great luck in the latter part of the first round and the second round, finding gems such as Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and Ivica Zubac in recent years. Having the opportunity to do so again this year would be excellent.
It looks to be a wild night in Los Angeles.
