Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bold predictions for the 2018 NBA Draft
Lakers trade up to stop Michael Porter Jr.’s fall
There’s this crazy notion right now that Michael Porter Jr. could suffer a disastrous tumble on draft night. ESPN recently had him mocked to the Washington Wizards at No. 15 despite the Missouri product clearly possessing top-five talent/potential (via NBC Sports Washington).
Well, let’s say that scenario plays out. Porter’s back injury and uncertainty forces teams to look elsewhere during the lottery, allowing the outstanding forward prospect to still be on the board at No. 15. When that happens, the Lakers give the Wizards a call and hash out a deal.
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In return for the right to select Porter, Los Angeles gives up the No. 25 pick and Kyle Kuzma. It’s a terrible price to pay, but the upgrade in talent is tremendous. Porter gives the Lakers a truly elite talent to pair with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and whoever else they manage to sign in free agency. The departure of Kuzma sucks, but that’s life in the NBA, right?
Could you imagine this starting five? Some combination of Ball, Ingram, Porter, Paul George/LeBron James, and Brook Lopez/Julius Randle? With Porter, the Lakers don’t even need two max contract signings. They can sign one, and use the rest of that money to re-sign Randle and Lopez while also bolstering the bench unit.
The key here, though? The Lakers get Porter! Seriously, that would be a dream come true for Magic, who can turn the 6’11” forward with a 2-guard’s skill-set into a superstar. They’d be revising those Westgate Las Vegas NBA Finals odds after this.