Lakers News: Insider Now Believes LA May Trade 2023 First Round Pick

Could LA make a draft night move?

The NBA Draft is tomorrow and rumors are flying everywhere! The Lakers hold the #17 pick in the first round of the draft and the #47 pick in the second round. With the way that LA has drafted in years past, they could be looking at picking up some really serviceable players. This is one of the better draft classes in recent memory so the Lakers could be in good shape.

Laker insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic has talked at length about what the team may do with their pick. He gave his insight in a new mock draft.

"Assuming the Lakers keep their pick — there is an increasing likelihood they trade it Thursday"

Jovan Buha, The Athletic

Buha is pretty locked in with all things Lakers so he likely knows something. But this is the correct route for the Lakers to take. There has been talk about the team possibly trading down to land an extra draft pick or two as well. They also have the salaries of guard Malik Beasley and center Mo Bamba to use at their disposal as well. 

If they aren't able to package their first round pick for a starting level caliber of player, trading down for extra draft capital is the way to go about things.

With the new CBA coming down soon. LA will need cheap talent to surround their star players in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The penalties for going over the tax line in this new deal look pretty harsh so the Lakers will likely try to avoid it at all costs.

Getting some young talent on this team could be a good thing as well since this draft is loaded with talent. The Lakers need to be thinking about both this season and future seasons because the reality is that James won't be with the team that much longer.

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