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NBA Draft: 5 Draft Day trades the Lakers should make

By Parker Hurley

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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Mar 1, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward David Lee (42) guards Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward David Lee (42) guards Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Nikola Vucevic 

How often is there a 25-year-old big man signed for the next four years available for trade? Not often but with a lot of rumors floating, it seems like the Magic are listening to offers.

Vucevic saw a dip in his rebounding numbers last year after signing his deal, but still he put up 18 points and nine rebounds per game.

He isn’t necessarily the best fit in Orlando given the pieces they are drafting around him and where the league is going. His defense is a bit of problem and it is what holds him back from being one of the elite centers in the league. The Magic seem like a team that needs to shake things up and a trade for Vucevic including the No. 2 pick may work.

This should be like the Teague trade where the No. 2 pick may be enough to do it, or the Magic may throw in a draft pick for it as well. 

For the Lakers, the spacing on offense with Vucevic next to Randle is ideal. Both are young, and both can play off of D’Angelo Russell. Brandon Ingram has a decent ceiling, but Vucevic is ready to score and perform now, and again, it is hard to find a center with the ability to put up points.

For the Magic, they can start playing with lineups that feature Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Brandon Ingram, Ersan Ilyasova, and Aaron Gordon.

Next: 3. Paul George

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