Honorable Mention: Los Angeles Lakers
If they really wanted to, the Los Angeles Lakers could get in on the Kristaps Porzingis sweepstakes. However, after trading away D’Angelo Russell in a cap space-clearing deal with the Brooklyn Nets, it wouldn’t make much sense to do so.
More than likely, discussions on a Porzingis trade would begin and end with the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft. After moving Russell, it’s all but assured the Lakers will be selecting Lonzo Ball as their new franchise point guard at that spot.
Though a package of the No. 2, No. 27 and No. 28 picks in this year’s draft would be a fine starting point for a one-in-a-lifetime talent like KP, the point guard position would be a serious issue for the team moving forward.
With the Lakers’ sights set on adding Paul George and LeBron James in the near future, they need Ball to facilitate and wouldn’t have the requisite cap space to pursue a star point guard in free agency. If the No. 2 pick is off the table in trade talks, it’s highly unlikely the Lakers’ best possible package of No. 27, No. 28, a future first-rounder and Julius Randle/Jordan Clarkson would cut it.