With the NBA Draft only days away, many rumors have been floating around NBA circles. The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the most active teams around this time in recent years, and this year is no exception.
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According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, the Sixers may be willing to trade up from the number three spot to ensure they land Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell:
League sources say the Sixers want D’Angelo Russell and are willing to trade up from the No. 3 spot to get him. It would create an interesting opportunity for the Lakers, who could still get Jahlil Okafor and extract a future pick in the process. Among others, the Sixers control the Lakers’ 2016 first-round pick, which is top-3 protected.
This is an extremely interesting scenario and one that could really benefit the Lakers should it turn out to be true. The Lakers have reportedly been strongly considering Russell with the second pick, but if the Sixers want to ensure they grab Russell they could look at this.
For the Lakers this, would be a win-win situation. Re-acquiring their own 2016 first-round pick or any other future first-rounder, while still drafting Okafor or whoever they want at No. 3 would be an outstanding accomplishment and set the Lakers up even more for the future.
The Lakers said that they plan on being very active this summer. The DeMarcus Cousins rumors are at a fever pitch right now and free agency hasn’t even begun yet, but the fact that the Lakers continue to pop up in these rumors is a good sign that the team is looking at everything to improve the team.
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