Lakers News: LA Rejected Multiple Trade Overtures For 2023 First Round Pick

Did the Lakers make the correct decision?

Heading into last week's NBA draft, it was widely expected that the Los Angeles Lakers would make a trade involving their number 17 first round draft pick. The team had multiple options on the table but ultimately chose to keep the pick and select point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino from Indiana University. The pick was met with some frustrations from fans as they had been hoping that the team would trade the pick to bring in some veteran help for next season.

Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic gave some insight into what happened on draft night and what led to the team making the pick.

"After fielding calls and weighing potential trade offers with multiple teams, they ultimately valued the opportunity to select the guard out of Indiana University, who they had expected to go earlier in the draft," Buha writes. "He is their highest pick since they selected Lonzo Ball at No. 2 in 2017."

While some fans may be disappointed by the team not making a trade, sometimes no trade is better than a bad trade. Imagine if a trade announcement came out and it was the Lakers giving up too many assets. People would be even more lived than they are now. General Manager Rob Pelinka knows what he is doing and he deserves the benefit of the doubt for now.

We don't know for sure what was on the table for LA and Hood-Schifino is a solid player in the spot that they got him. It was reported that the Houston Rockets called LA about a possible trade up from number 20 but the Lakers dismissed that. Teams may have been asking for too much and Pelinka wouldn't budge on his own asking price. We likely won't ever know and that is okay.

For now, the Lakers move forward with some solid young players in Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis, whom they drafted in the second round. They have LeBron James and Anthony Davis to build around for next season and summer league is right around the corner. Things are trending in the right direction for the Lakers so just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!