Los Angeles Lakers insider reveals team's plans with No. 17 pick

After reaching the Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers enter the offseason with an opportunity to strengthen their team through NBA free agency and the 2023 NBA Draft. As the franchise awaits a decision from LeBron James, its focus centers on its first-round pick.

The Lakers won’t have an opportunity to land any of the top NBA Draft prospects who fans are most familiar with. Holding the 17th overall pick, many have assumed that Los Angeles would trade its first-round selection to strengthen its roster.

There are a variety of compelling NBA trade candidates available this summer, including at positions of need. However, it seems the current plans in Los Angeles don’t involve trading the pick as of now.

The Athletic’s Jovan Buha addressed the Lakers’ offseason and the upcoming NBA Draft. While he believes Los Angeles is willing to trade the 17th overall pick, it would only be for a starter and that doesn’t appear to be likely right now.

“The most likely outcome is the Lakers keeping the No. 17 pick, according to multiple team sources not authorized to speak publicly. But that could change if the right trade becomes available — including a team making an enticing offer for the Lakers to trade back later in the draft. I think the right trade would involve using the pick to secure a starting-level upgrade available in a trade on draft night or later this offseason — like, say, Myles Turner in Indiana.”
Jovan Buha of The Athletic on Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round pick

While it’s not typical for a championship contender to keep its draft picks, the Lakers do have a strong track record of identifying young talent.

But the franchise hasn’t kept any of its first-round picks in recent years with Isaiah Jackson (22nd overall in 2021), Jaden McDaniels (28th overall in 2020), De’Andre Hunter (4th overall in 2019) and Moritz Wagner (25th overall in 2018) all either traded by Los Angeles or drafted with a pick the team previously traded away.

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While the 2023 NBA Draft is viewed as one of the best ever, it’s largely because of the talent at the top. Once outside the lottery picks, the pool of NBA prospects isn’t viewed highly around the league with an array of opinions on the pool of players.

The Lakers’ scouting department does give the team a better chance of hitting on the 17th overall pick and likely plays a role in their current approach. However, the organization’s primary goal is to win another championship and trading the first-round pick for a role player is a better short-term move for the franchise.