Lakers News: LA Traded Up In Second Round Specifically To Select Maxwell Lewis

LA may have gotten a steal!

The Lakers added two solid players to their roster Thursday once the dust settled from the NBA Draft. Both give them something that they didn't have a ton of previously, young and cheap talent. Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis bring a new look to LA and should help the club next season. After all the speculation, only one trade was made by the Lakers and it was done with the sole intention of getting Maxwell. 

Prior to the NBA Draft, LA and Indiana made a deal to swap the No.47 pick for the No.40 pick. LA always threw in about $4 million in cash to sweeten the deal. It was seen as quite a lot of money for a throw in to only move up seven spots but the Lakers clearly had an idea in mind of what they wanted to do. 

The Lakers made a significant commitment to make sure they could get a chance at Maxwell Lewis, sending ~$4m to Indiana to move up from 47 to 40. The rangy 6-7 forward out of Pepperdine made a major impression in his predraft workout with the team.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 23, 2023

Maxwell could be a steal in the draft. The former Pepperdine Wave forward is lengthy and can shoot at a good rate. He should provide LA with the type of player that they have severely been lacking in recent years. His length and size give him all the tools needed to be an effective player in the league. 

Lewis intrigues NBA teams with his dimensions, standing 6'7 with a 6'10 wingspan and a frame that should fill out considerably in time. He's a smooth, fluid shot-creator with a wide array of hesitation moves operating out of isolation and pick and roll.

FILM: https://t.co/UirrtQYNkm pic.twitter.com/nYChu6sis9

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 20, 2023

However, anytime you get a player in the second round, you need to temper expectations. While there have been a lot of guys who pan out from this part of the draft, it remains to be seen just how good Maxwell will be. But I'm excited to see his growth with the team and how he fits in.

The Lakers scouting department has been one of the best in the NBA over the last decade plus so they get the benefit of the doubt. If they believed that trading $4 million to trade up and get this guy was worth it, then it likely was. 

Hopefully Maxwell can have a strong career with LA and help them win their 18th title.

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