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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 NBA Draft Questions

By Jackson Sanders

Jul 24, 2014; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak during a press conference at theToyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2014; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak during a press conference at theToyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Nick Young (0) reacts after a shot against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Nick Young (0) reacts after a shot against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Will The Los Angeles Lakers Make Moves Involving Veterans?

This question really can go in two directions. First, will the Lakers move any of their picks for veteran help? And second, will the Lakers move any of their current veterans?

It’s unlikely that anyone all that useful would come by simply trading one of the later picks that the Lakers hold. The 27th overall pick isn’t all that coveted, at least not enough so to land a player that will make a major impact for the team next season. The same can be said for the 34th overall pick.

Still, it’s possible that the team could look to pair the picks in a deal that lands them a veteran piece.

The more (relatively) likely scenario is that the Lakers look to deal a veteran already on their roster — Nick Young, if we’re naming names.

Young’s value is probably as low as it’s been in his two years in purple & gold, but he could help a contending team in need of a scoring option off-the-bench. For the Lakers, it makes sense to explore dealing “Swaggy P” if it means they can shed salary in the process.

With free agency coming shortly after the draft, freeing up a little more than $5 million (Young’s ’15-16 salary) could land an extra veteran that better fits the Lakers’ needs.

Of course, there are the more extravagant scenarios like trading for DeMarcus Cousins, Ty Lawson, or any other potential All-Star who is the slightest bit disgruntled.

While anything is possible (In Mitch We Trust), I wouldn’t count on the Lakers leaving draft night with a big name veteran, considering the team would have to empty their asset cupboard to make an appealing offer.

Next: 5 Potential Steals In The 2015 NBA Draft

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