Los Angeles Lakers rumors have swirled this offseason regarding the team’s intentions with the 17th overall pick. Hours away from the 2023 NBA Draft starting, a clearer picture is emerging regarding the team’s plans with the pick.
The Lakers have considered a wide variety of options at No. 17 overall. Among the considerations are packaging the selection with a player to add a piece to the starting lineup, shopping it to a team interested in trading up or keeping it and hoping one of the lottery talents slides.
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According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, there’s an increasing likelihood that the Lakers trade the No. 17 pick on Thursday night.
The report is especially notable because this wasn’t always the expectation out of Los Angeles. Buha previously wrote that while the Lakers were open to dealing their first-round pick, the likeliest outcome was keeping it and using it to draft a young player on a rookie-scale contract.
Furthermore, per Buha’s previous reporting, Los Angeles would’ve only altered its plans if the right starting-level player became available. If there’s now an expectation the 17th pick is moved, it suggests the Lakers have found a viable trade market to land a starter or a key role player for the 2023-’24 NBA season.
It’s possible Los Angeles could part with Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba or Jarred Vanderbilt in the deal. With the front office determined to re-sign Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, matching whatever offers the restricted free agents receive, creating cap space is an important part of that process.
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Ultimately, the Lakers rumors leading up to draft night suggest it will be a must-see event for basketball fans in Los Angeles. With LeBron James returning next season and the Lakers in the mix for Chris Paul, it’s clear there’s an all-in approach that could result in a draft-night trade.