Wild Lakers Trade Idea Lands LA Top-10 Draft Pick

This would give the Lakers a chance to draft in the top ten on Wednesday night.

Apr 13, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) dribbles the ball past Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) in the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images | Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have been notably absent in the big trades that have happened in the last few days. They sat out the Kevin Durant sweepstakes and didn't try to get Kristaps Porzingis.

Porzingis would have fit a positional need at the center spot, but he was far too expensive for them. Still, the Lakers clearly need to improve at the center spot and get better at perimeter defense.

They also don't have a lot of young players to help take the spot of some of the older guys once they retire or head elsewhere, including LeBron James. One trade proposal would help with that.

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This trade proposal from ESPN would have the Lakers move into the top ten of the draft and could allow them to land a solid prospect on Wednesday night. Here's the proposal:

Brooklyn Nets get: No. 11 pick (via Portland), 2031 unprotected first (via Los Angeles)

Los Angeles Lakers get: No. 8 pick (via Brooklyn), No. 36 pick (via Brooklyn)

Portland Trail Blazers get: G Dalton Knecht, 2027 top-4 protected first (via New York)

It's very clear that the Lakers are not invested in the future of Dalton Knecht. They tried to trade him once when they were looking to get Mark Williams, so he's not part of their plans.

Adding the eighth pick in the draft could give them an opportunity to draft someone who could slide. Ace Bailey is someone who has had an odd pre-draft process, and he could slide that far.

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Los Angeles would be ecstatic if they were able to get someone with Bailey's talents with the eighth pick. He is definitely one of the most talented players in the draft.

If the Lakers believe that there is a player worth that trade who can help Luka Doncic in the next few years, they could make the move. Otherwise, they will likely stand pat.

With LeBron James being at the age he's at, the Lakers need to focus more on the here and now so they can try to win a title. This trade doesn't do that.

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