The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly expected to attempt to trade the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft in an effort to improve their roster.
As part of a Lakers mailbag (beginning at the 45-second mark), Jovan Buha of The Athletic said the Lakers would like to move the No. 17 overall selection and potentially other picks in order to either land a third star to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis or to add depth to the roster.
Buha noted that the Lakers are likely to be "aggressive" in shopping the pick and realize the roster can be upgraded after falling 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs this season.
L.A. could technically lose its 2024 first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans as a result of the Davis trade, as the Pels have the choice between taking the Lakers' first rounder in either 2024 or 2025.
However, Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported that it is expected the Pelicans will take the Lakers' 2025 first instead.
Should that happen, the Lakers will have the ability to trade up to three first-round picks on draft night, including their 2024 first rounder.
There have been some rumors and speculation regarding the Lakers possibly taking LeBron's son, Bronny James, in the 2024 draft in order to help LeBron "fulfill his dream" of playing alongside his son, but O'Connor noted that it is far more likely they use picks to trade for a third star such as Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young.
With LeBron and Davis leading the way, the Lakers went through the play-in tournament to reach the Western Conference Finals in 2023, but they were swept by the Nuggets.
Los Angeles once again needed to take part in the play-in tournament this season, and it had an even quicker postseason exit.
Assuming James doesn't opt out of his contract this offseason and sign elsewhere, the Lakers will be threats in 2024-25 provided LeBron and AD stay healthy.
They are also set to return key contributors such as Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, although guard D'Angelo Russell can and likely will opt out after surging down the stretch.
Any major trade the Lakers make would likely be made in an attempt to replace and potentially upgrade over Russell, and Young stands out as a player who fits that bill, as the three-time All-Star averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game last season.
The Lakers truly may be one impact player away from returning to championship contention, and it sounds as though they will be assertive in going to get that player since their championship window could close at any time with an aging core.
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May 12, 2024 at 12:01AM
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NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers to Be 'Aggressive' in Shopping No. 17 2024 Draft Pick - Bleacher Report
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