Los Angeles Lakers: 3 potential blockbuster draft-day trades in 2017
By Simon Smith
The 2017 NBA Draft represents of the most important days in the recent history of the Los Angeles Lakers. Here are some blockbuster draft-day trades they should consider pursuing.
Given their recent lack of success, the 2017 NBA Draft looms as possibly a franchise-altering day for the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite a slew of recent high lottery selections, the Lakers have fallen off the map in terms of their on-court respectability.
Since their last playoff appearance in 2013, the Lakers have compiled a disastrous 91-237 record. They are now onto their third head coach over this span following the hiring of Luke Walton last offseason. Since then, the Lakers front office has also undertaken a significant facelift.
First, Lakers’ legend and Hall-of-Famer, Magic Johnson, was named the team’s president of basketball operations, replacing long-time incumbent Mitch Kupchak. Furthermore, long-time player agent, Rob Pelinka, was named as the Lakers’ new general manager. These hiring’s coincided with team owner Jeanie Buss assuming complete control of the franchise, thus representing a fresh start for all involved.
Which brings us to the draft.
As the owners of the No. 2 overall pick in one of the strongest draft classes in recent memory, the Lakers hold considerable power come June 22. The most recent mock draft conducted by Draft Express has the Lakers selecting Lonzo Ball of UCLA. Under Walton’s aggressive offensive style, Ball would seem an ideal fit. Here’s just a small excerpt from Draft Express’ most recent scouting report on Ball:
"“….it would be impossible not to start with his elite transition play. Ball has virtually the entire package in this regard, from his ability to force turnovers and grab defensive boards to ignite the break, the breakneck speed he operates at with the ball in his hands, his elite creativity and passing accuracy, and even right down to his knowledge of when to push the ball himself and when to give it up to his teammates. The ball doesn’t stick, his decision-making is quick, and his creativity and vision are nothing short of elite.”"
Such a glowing report, however, presents just one of a number of quandaries for the Lakers entering the draft period.
Despite Ball being a homegrown Laker, and his clearly undeniable talent, there is very rarely a certifiable “sure thing.” Furthermore, there’s the overbearing and often controversial presence of his Ball’s father, LaVar, to consider. A virtual walking, talking sideshow, Ball SNR’s exploits, such as this recent example, could easily sway the thinking of Johnson, Pelinka and co. when it comes to such a pivotal decision for the franchise.
Johnson is all about winning. With a No. 2 overall pick in hand, combined with a number of exciting, up-and-coming players currently on the Lakers’ roster, the time could be right to work their way back to relevance by pulling off a draft-day, blockbuster move.