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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

By Gil Alcaraz IV

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrati during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrati during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

Lakers acquire 2018 first round pick

Seeing the way Magic Johnson has run this team so far, my guess is he’s convinced he needs a 2018 first round pick to keep the ball rolling with this rebuild. Landing two superstars next offseason would be a tremendous start, but the Lakers need bench pieces too.

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With an eye on the future, Johnson finds a way to acquire a first round pick in next June’s draft. I’m not sure what it would take to do so. Maybe shipping out Jordan Clarkson or Julius Randle? Magic loves to work, well, magic when it comes to roster moves, so I wouldn’t surprised with just about any deal he makes.

Now it’s not like the Lakers aren’t currently slated to make a pick in 2018. Right now, they’re the proud owners of the Denver Nuggets’ second round selection. However, considering the fact that the Nuggets stand a good chance of making the playoffs this season, that pick isn’t going to offer much value. They need to draft in a spot that can offer more short- and long-term upside.

So here I am, predicting the Lakers claw their way back into the first round. It’s anyone’s guess where the pick will fall, whether it’s the lottery or near the end of the round.

As we’ve seen in recent drafts, though, Los Angeles doesn’t need a high pick to land a playmaker. Just ask Larry Nance, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Ivica Zubac, who were all selected in the 27-32 range.

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