Lakers Draft Picks Next 5 Year’S

How the Lakers Can Replenish Their Draft Capital in the Next Five Years

As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to navigate the murky waters of the NBA’s post-LeBron James era, one of the most pressing questions facing the storied franchise is how to replenish their dwindling draft capital. The Lakers have traded away their first-round picks in 2023, 2024, and 2025 as part of the blockbuster deals that brought Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles. This has left the team with a dearth of young talent on the roster and limited options for future improvement.

However, all is not lost for the Lakers. There are a number of ways that the team can add draft picks to their arsenal in the coming years. Here are a few possible scenarios:

Trading Away Peripheral Pieces

The Lakers have a number of players on their roster who could be considered expendable assets. These players include Kendrick Nunn, Malik Monk, Austin Reaves, and De’Andre Jordan. If the Lakers are willing to part with some of these players, they could potentially acquire draft picks in return.

For example, the Lakers could trade Nunn and Monk to the San Antonio Spurs for the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. This would give the Lakers a valuable young player on a rookie contract and would help to replenish their draft capital.

Taking on Bad Contracts

Another way that the Lakers can acquire draft picks is by taking on bad contracts. This is a risky strategy, as it can tie up the team’s salary cap space for years to come. However, if the Lakers are able to identify a team that is willing to shed a bad contract, they could potentially acquire a draft pick or two in the process.

For example, the Lakers could trade Westbrook to the Charlotte Hornets for Gordon Hayward and a future first-round pick. This would be a risky move, as Hayward is injury-prone and has a large contract. However, if Hayward is able to stay healthy, he could be a valuable addition to the Lakers’ roster. And the future first-round pick would give the Lakers another asset to build around.

Tanking for a High Draft Pick

If all else fails, the Lakers could always tank for a high draft pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. This would be a drastic measure, as it would require the Lakers to intentionally lose games. However, if the Lakers are able to land a top-five pick in the draft, they could potentially acquire a franchise-changing player.

For example, the Lakers could trade away all of their veterans and play their young players big minutes. This would likely result in a lot of losses, but it would also give the Lakers a chance to develop their young players and improve their draft position.

Conclusion

Replenishing the Lakers’ draft capital will be a challenge, but it is certainly possible. By trading away peripheral pieces, taking on bad contracts, or tanking for a high draft pick, the Lakers can add young talent to their roster and improve their chances of future success.

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