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NBA Draft rumors: Lakers seek another pick, Nets move up, Kings pick twin

By Jonathan Lurensky

Mar 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham talks with Rob Pelinka, Vice President of Operations, prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham talks with Rob Pelinka, Vice President of Operations, prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 13, 2019; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Laker forward LeBron James (left) and forward/center Anthony Davis (talk) after an introductory press conference for Davis at UCLA Health Training Center. Davis was traded to the Lakers from New Orleans for several players and future draft picks. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 13, 2019; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Laker forward LeBron James (left) and forward/center Anthony Davis (talk) after an introductory press conference for Davis at UCLA Health Training Center. Davis was traded to the Lakers from New Orleans for several players and future draft picks. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

The offseason is in full swing and the league is swirling with NBA Draft rumors, including the Lakers and Nets both looking for trades.

According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the Lakers are looking to trade their first-round pick for multiple first-round picks. This would mean that they would trade down in the draft to get more picks. The Lakers hold the No. 17 pick and could conceivably make a trade like this with the Nets (No. 21 and No. 22) or the Pacers (No. 26 and No. 29).

This would make a lot of sense as it would give the Lakers a lot more flexibility and allow their scouting department to do its thing. The have had success finding value in the past. Another benefit would be adding two players on rookie-scale contracts which could help save money as they try to navigate re-signing Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, and exploring other free-agent options.

The Lakers could also try to package this second pick with another player in a trade that lands them another veteran player. This might be a way for them to turn Mo Bamba or Malik Beasley into something more useful for next season.

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