The Los Angeles Lakers have already experienced an offseason of major change. The recent hire of JJ Redick as the 29th head coach in the history of the legendary franchise has made headlines and will continue to do so, but the coaching decision was far from the Lakers' only major task this offseason.
With their coach in place, it's time for the Lakers to turn their attention to the 2024 NBA Draft as they attempt to find the next piece to their puzzle.
While Los Angeles was uncertain that they would have a selection in the first round, the New Orleans Pelicans made the decision to defer the pick owed to them by LA until 2025. For NOLA, it was a no-brainer, as it's entirely possible that the Lakers' pick could be higher than 17 next year, and the draft is expected to be significantly stronger.
With the 17th pick now officially in their possession, the Lakers have an opportunity to address one of several needs through this draft. LA is in need of a shot-making facilitator to either replace or back up D'Angelo Russell.
They also need a two-way wing who can help stretch the floor for an otherwise rigid roster. They could also use a big who will allow the team to slide Anthony Davis back to power forward, something he has desired for months.
The question is, who fits those needs for Los Angeles, and who could be available that the team simply cannot afford to pass up on?