The Los Angeles Lakers were big winners in the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery, keeping their top-three pick and moving up to No. 2 overall.
The Los Angeles Lakers needed a little luck to come out ahead in the 2017 NBA Draft. The Lakers had arguably the most riding on the lottery as any team this year.
Los Angeles needed to remain in the top-three of the draft to keep its selection this season. Had they fallen out of the top-three, their selection would have been sent to the Philadelphia 76ers. That was a stipulation from their trade for Steve Nash, as the Phoenix Suns would later send the selection to Philadelphia.
Not only would they lose this year’s pick, but they would lose their selection in 2019 as well; that one would have been relayed over to the Orlando Magic from the Dwight Howard trade.
The Lakers can count their lucky stars as they will not have to worry about losing two picks. Lady Luck was on their side Tuesday night. Coming into the lottery the Lakers had a 15.6 percent chance of landing the first overall pick, a 15.7 percent chance to be second, and a 15.6 percent chance to be third. That meant that the Lakers had worse than 50-50 odds to keep their pick, but they beat the odds.
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The Lakers had a 53.1 percent chance of losing their selection. Not only did they keep their pick, they actually moved up. The Lakers had the third-worst record in the NBA, putting them in the third spot coming into the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery. Los Angeles would leave New York holding the No. 2 spot in the 2017 NBA Draft.
As a result, the Lakers will only have to send their first round pick in 2018 to the 76ers. That selection will be unprotected. The Magic are the big losers here. Instead of landing a first round pick, they will receive two second round picks instead. There is a chance the Magic can find solid players near the top of the second round, but a first round pick in 2019 probably would have provided a higher ceiling player.
This is pretty close to a best-case scenario for the Lakers. Many draft analysts believe that point guards Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball will be the first two players off the board. Having a chance to select either of those players would be excellent to the Lakers’ rebuild.
Los Angeles and Ball have not been shy about discussing one another. The Lakers are reportedly enamored with the UCLA product. Ball said he would enjoy playing for any of the 30 teams in the NBA, but playing for the hometown Lakers would be special because of the chance to learn from Magic Johnson.
The Lakers could also look at the wing. Kansas forward Josh Jackson would also be a great addition to the team. He would bring a lot of athleticism and a defensive mindset to the team.
Magic Johnson exuded confidence all throughout the evening that the Lakers would retain their selection. That confidence would come to fruition, as the Lakers are going to hold onto their selection and not send it over to the 76ers. This is a big night for the new Lakers regime.
Next: 2017 NBA Draft Lottery results and 1st round order
They now hold the No. 2 and No. 28 selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. They will have an opportunity to add two more young pieces to their core, hoping to build the foundation of another championship caliber team.