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NBA Draft Rumors: Lakers will try trading pick if it’s No. 3

By Tom West

Nov 29, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak speaks to the media before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak speaks to the media before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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If the Los Angeles Lakers receive the No. 3 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery, they will reportedly try trading the pick for a “young veteran”.

It’s the day of the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery, meaning every hopeful team will finally get to discover where they’ll actually be selecting in this year’s draft. The Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are in the best position, having the highest opportunity to land the No. 1 pick and select a new star for their future. However, if the Lakers aren’t quite so lucky and only get the No. 3 pick, they reportedly want to try trading it.

According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, the Lakers will look to trade the 3rd overall selection for a “young veteran”:

"Multiple sources said at the combine this week that they expect the pick to be in play if it’s No. 3 — with the Lakers looking for a young veteran in return."

While the phrase “young veteran” obviously sheds no light on who the Lakers will actually pursue if the ping-pong balls fall inadequately to force them into a trade, it essentially reveals who they have their sights set on in the 2016 NBA Draft.

It’s essentially guaranteed that the top two picks will be Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons (whichever order they go), meaning the Lakers being unlucky enough to draw the short straw and pick third leaves them with an incredibly small chance of getting one of the two most promising young stars. And for the Lakers, desperate to rebuild and find some good fortune sooner rather than later, settling for less than Ingram or Simmons may be out of the question.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that the Lakers may look to trade their lottery pick either. In fact, to take things a few steps further from pursuing a “young veteran,” it was reported that they wanted to make a serious push to acquire two-way superstar Paul George in return for their pick and other assets. Although, as is fairly obvious, the Lakers wouldn’t get anywhere with such an idea.

Even when scaling back below a star such as George, it may not be easy to haul in a serious talent in return for the No. 3 pick. After the likes of Ingram and Simmons are gone, there is still plenty of lottery talent ranging from Kris Dunn to Buddy Hield, but there aren’t necessarily players on the level of the top two rookies that teams will be so desperate to trade up for.

However, don’t worry too much, Laker Nation, the Lakers still have a 19.9 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick, second only to the 76ers (25 percent).

Depending on how eager the Lakers are to win now and what assets they combine that pick with (should it fall to No. 3), we may need anticipate a move by them on draft night.

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