Lakers: Ranking best assets that can be traded for a superstar
By John Buhler
20. Los Angeles Lakers. 3. player. Future First-Round Picks. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 2021 or 2027
Two first-round picks in the next 6 years can be dealt by Lakers: 2021 or 2027
If the Lakers are willing to mortgage their future for a third star to build another championship team around Davis and James, they have two options. They can part ways with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft or they can entice somebody with the allure of a 2027 first-round pick. Because of The Stepien Rules, those are the next two first-round picks the Lakers can offer.
Los Angeles does not own its 2023 first-round pick, which belongs to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Davis trade. While they could recoup their 2025 first-round pick, there is a chance that one also goes New Orleans’ way in the Davis trade. The Lakers cannot trade back-to-back first-round picks because of the rules in place, so it would have to be either No. 22 in 2021 or the 2027 pick.
If the Lakers were in the lottery part of the first round, the 2021 pick would have tremendous value. Unfortunately, it will be very hard for them to draft an All-Star with that selection, or whoever is in possession of it, for that matter. The 2027 pick could be alluring if the Lakers crater in the post-James/Davis era, but that is too far out to even remotely begin to speculate about.
First-round picks are quality pieces for trades, but the Lakers have to give up a player for a star.