If the Lakers get a top 2 pick… could they look for a trade down?

 I’d say Embiid is a can’t miss prospect if you’re LA, no chance they trade him, they wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to build around yet another great C.

 I’d say Embiid is a can’t miss prospect if you’re LA, no chance they trade him, they wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to build around yet another great C.

 If the Lakers get a top two pick in this draft it would be foolish to trade down for more picks. Any team in position to get one of the franchise level talents (Embid, Parker, Wiggins, or Randle) aren’t likely to trade their pick to move up unless they are in love with one of these guys and don’t see any way they fall to them. Outside of trading down and still getting one of these four it isn’t sensible. Having one franchise level talent is worth so much more than having two or three solid rotation guys. 

 If the Lakers get a top two pick in this draft it would be foolish to trade down for more picks. Any team in position to get one of the franchise level talents (Embid, Parker, Wiggins, or Randle) aren’t likely to trade their pick to move up unless they are in love with one of these guys and don’t see any way they fall to them. Outside of trading down and still getting one of these four it isn’t sensible. Having one franchise level talent is worth so much more than having two or three solid rotation guys. 

 You may be negged for that post, but I actually think it would be acceptable in one case.  The Lakers seem to love Exum and the feeling appears to be mutual.  Although most of the information regarding teams and prospects should be taken with a grain of salt, there is some evidence that suggests they really do want him.  If they truly do believe he is the second or even best player in the draft, then by all means they should trade down from the 2nd pick if they know that no other team will take him at that spot.  However, they should NOT trade down if they receive the number 1 pick because passing on Embiid could turn out to be an incredibly foolish decision down the line.  But, if, as you say, they get the number 2 pick, then I see no problem with trading down, and perhaps getting a mid lotto pick as well as the number 4 pick.  Personally, I feel like Wiggins would be the best possible option for them, but if Exum impresses them in workouts and they are set on drafting him, then it would be silly of them to reach for him at number 2 rather than trading down and being able to draft Exum as well someone like Rodney Hood or Jerami Grant.  

 You may be negged for that post, but I actually think it would be acceptable in one case.  The Lakers seem to love Exum and the feeling appears to be mutual.  Although most of the information regarding teams and prospects should be taken with a grain of salt, there is some evidence that suggests they really do want him.  If they truly do believe he is the second or even best player in the draft, then by all means they should trade down from the 2nd pick if they know that no other team will take him at that spot.  However, they should NOT trade down if they receive the number 1 pick because passing on Embiid could turn out to be an incredibly foolish decision down the line.  But, if, as you say, they get the number 2 pick, then I see no problem with trading down, and perhaps getting a mid lotto pick as well as the number 4 pick.  Personally, I feel like Wiggins would be the best possible option for them, but if Exum impresses them in workouts and they are set on drafting him, then it would be silly of them to reach for him at number 2 rather than trading down and being able to draft Exum as well someone like Rodney Hood or Jerami Grant.  

 If they can get Exum at 5 or 6, I would be open to that. No where in the top 3 though.

 Exum is unproven & no one really knows how good he is. All I hear about is his quickness. I never hear about his ability to run a team, score, shoot or defend. The only way you draft Exum over Wiggins, Parker, Embid and Randle is if he comes into workouts draining half court jumpers & walking on his hands.

Personally, I think they can’t risk having a top 2 pick & not getting Wiggins, Parker or Embid.

 If they can get Exum at 5 or 6, I would be open to that. No where in the top 3 though.

 Exum is unproven & no one really knows how good he is. All I hear about is his quickness. I never hear about his ability to run a team, score, shoot or defend. The only way you draft Exum over Wiggins, Parker, Embid and Randle is if he comes into workouts draining half court jumpers & walking on his hands.

Personally, I think they can’t risk having a top 2 pick & not getting Wiggins, Parker or Embid.

 I think the Lakers will be looking to keep the pick if it is top 5.  I don’t imagine them wanting to pass on anybody in the top 5 as they have no real other means to pick up franchise changing talent.  It is imperative that they keep their pick if it is in the top 5 as they could use Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, Exum or Randle… You might even be able to talk me into throwing Smart in that as well.  

If all of said players are gone, I wouldn’t be against them trading say the 7th pick for 2 picks in between the 10-15 range if a team ends up with picks like that.

The Lakers should be in best player available mode for sure as they could pretty much use a cornerstone at any position.

 I think the Lakers will be looking to keep the pick if it is top 5.  I don’t imagine them wanting to pass on anybody in the top 5 as they have no real other means to pick up franchise changing talent.  It is imperative that they keep their pick if it is in the top 5 as they could use Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, Exum or Randle… You might even be able to talk me into throwing Smart in that as well.  

If all of said players are gone, I wouldn’t be against them trading say the 7th pick for 2 picks in between the 10-15 range if a team ends up with picks like that.

The Lakers should be in best player available mode for sure as they could pretty much use a cornerstone at any position.

 Why not if it’s a Chris Webber/Penny Hardaway situation like the 93 draft? 

That does make some sense for the Lakers. It just depends on who they want and how they scout. If they don’t see Embiid as a 1-1 C (unlikely but we’re working on hypos) moving down to 3 or 4 to take Exum and get another asset (like a 2015 first) might not  be the worst idea. 

 Why not if it’s a Chris Webber/Penny Hardaway situation like the 93 draft? 

That does make some sense for the Lakers. It just depends on who they want and how they scout. If they don’t see Embiid as a 1-1 C (unlikely but we’re working on hypos) moving down to 3 or 4 to take Exum and get another asset (like a 2015 first) might not  be the worst idea. 

I’ve always wondered if the Lakers might try to move a high pick for an established All Star but with the FA market this summer, I assume they draft, try to make a major FA signing and then consider what their options are for the player they have chosen in the draft.

I don’t see them trading down as if they do get top pick they would merely take BPA. Embiid is a natural fit, Parker and Wiggins can play SF/PF and SF/SG respectively so if they did happen to land a top SF FA. Then Parker and Wiggins would play around Kobe and the FA signing or someone would move across to PF be it Parker or the FA signing. We all know that the top 2 SF FA’s this summer can both play PF and under a D’Antoni line up you often see a smaller PF.

If the Lakers did look at a trade down I think it would only be if they got top pick and would move down to 2 or 3 so effectively the trade would be 1st or 3rd and 11th or 3rd and 12th aprox with either Orlando or Philly.

I’ve always wondered if the Lakers might try to move a high pick for an established All Star but with the FA market this summer, I assume they draft, try to make a major FA signing and then consider what their options are for the player they have chosen in the draft.

I don’t see them trading down as if they do get top pick they would merely take BPA. Embiid is a natural fit, Parker and Wiggins can play SF/PF and SF/SG respectively so if they did happen to land a top SF FA. Then Parker and Wiggins would play around Kobe and the FA signing or someone would move across to PF be it Parker or the FA signing. We all know that the top 2 SF FA’s this summer can both play PF and under a D’Antoni line up you often see a smaller PF.

If the Lakers did look at a trade down I think it would only be if they got top pick and would move down to 2 or 3 so effectively the trade would be 1st or 3rd and 11th or 3rd and 12th aprox with either Orlando or Philly.

I think the lakers would be smart to trade the first pick if they won and even the second pick lets say the sixers  or magic slide to 4  we know they want the top pick and they have 2 draft selection the magic will surley trade both of their lotto selections for the number 1 pick if their own pick 4 or lower. The sixers might put together a package of players and picks to move up. They can also get a pick and a rudy gay from the kings not saying that’s the best idea im saying they wil have a lot of options with that plus cap space.

  they have holes in their roster and  neither wiggins or joel are going to make a all star impact their first season parker is the most nba ready out the 3 but even he is going to reach at his full potential as a rookie. Theirs a window with kobes age and health and theirs holes in the roster  why not fill them.

I think the lakers would be smart to trade the first pick if they won and even the second pick lets say the sixers  or magic slide to 4  we know they want the top pick and they have 2 draft selection the magic will surley trade both of their lotto selections for the number 1 pick if their own pick 4 or lower. The sixers might put together a package of players and picks to move up. They can also get a pick and a rudy gay from the kings not saying that’s the best idea im saying they wil have a lot of options with that plus cap space.

  they have holes in their roster and  neither wiggins or joel are going to make a all star impact their first season parker is the most nba ready out the 3 but even he is going to reach at his full potential as a rookie. Theirs a window with kobes age and health and theirs holes in the roster  why not fill them.

as much as you guys hate to remember joel is  great prospect but is still very raw he has nice instinct and  fills up the stat sheet but in a big  dominated west coast  he has to battle players stronger and more skilled then him his numbers aren’t that consistent either, in the west the only big that gets rest is Tim Duncan. Joel had to miss a game because he was  "banged up".

Hes a great prospect but the lakers DO NOT TAKE HIM WITH THE FIRST PICK. He doesn’t fit the time frame of their plans .

as much as you guys hate to remember joel is  great prospect but is still very raw he has nice instinct and  fills up the stat sheet but in a big  dominated west coast  he has to battle players stronger and more skilled then him his numbers aren’t that consistent either, in the west the only big that gets rest is Tim Duncan. Joel had to miss a game because he was  "banged up".

Hes a great prospect but the lakers DO NOT TAKE HIM WITH THE FIRST PICK. He doesn’t fit the time frame of their plans .

 The lakers could probably swing their lottery pick into Kevin Love. 

The issue is they really have no sign and trade assets to net them the 3rd gu they need (I think Deng would be a great 3rd banana behind Love and Kobe). 

That would be how you jumpstart a rebuild, but they simply lack the assets to make it work. Having just Kobe and Love and a bunch of guys from the local YMCA isni’t going to convince Love to stick around long term. 

 The lakers could probably swing their lottery pick into Kevin Love. 

The issue is they really have no sign and trade assets to net them the 3rd gu they need (I think Deng would be a great 3rd banana behind Love and Kobe). 

That would be how you jumpstart a rebuild, but they simply lack the assets to make it work. Having just Kobe and Love and a bunch of guys from the local YMCA isni’t going to convince Love to stick around long term. 

Yesterday on the Celtics thread, I thought that if the C’s and Lakers ended up with top 3 picks, the Celtics should trade Rondo and Jeff Green to the Lakers for Pau Gasol and the Lakers pick.

The Celtics could then get Embiid and Wiggins with the Lakers getting rid of Pau’s contract, getting Rondo to run the team and with Jeff Green to give them a solid third option.  The Lakers could then go after Carmelo to give them a solid Rondo, Kobe, Carmelo, and Jeff Green core.  They wouldn’t really have a center but they could probably to try to bring Andrew Bynum back or get someone else.

Yesterday on the Celtics thread, I thought that if the C’s and Lakers ended up with top 3 picks, the Celtics should trade Rondo and Jeff Green to the Lakers for Pau Gasol and the Lakers pick.

The Celtics could then get Embiid and Wiggins with the Lakers getting rid of Pau’s contract, getting Rondo to run the team and with Jeff Green to give them a solid third option.  The Lakers could then go after Carmelo to give them a solid Rondo, Kobe, Carmelo, and Jeff Green core.  They wouldn’t really have a center but they could probably to try to bring Andrew Bynum back or get someone else.

 I was under the impression Gasol was an expiring contract and thus untradeable. 

The Lakers might be able to make that deal without Gasol considering they only have like 2 contracts on the books for next year, and one is Nash who might retire. 

 I was under the impression Gasol was an expiring contract and thus untradeable. 

The Lakers might be able to make that deal without Gasol considering they only have like 2 contracts on the books for next year, and one is Nash who might retire. 

 Nash’s contract partly guaranteed could potentially be used with the draft pick if it was outside the top 3. But I don’t think they would do any trades pre FA season as their FA targets are bigger than any likely trade they can pull and also allows the FA to be signed without cap issues.

 Nash’s contract partly guaranteed could potentially be used with the draft pick if it was outside the top 3. But I don’t think they would do any trades pre FA season as their FA targets are bigger than any likely trade they can pull and also allows the FA to be signed without cap issues.

 I think getting Rondo is more important than getting Deng (if you want to consider who the Lakers could realistically get in FA). 

 I think getting Rondo is more important than getting Deng (if you want to consider who the Lakers could realistically get in FA). 

 I wouldn’t trade though if say one of the top 4 becomes a can’t miss prospect after the tournament. Unless some team gives them one of the top 6 plus 2015 and 2017 first since they don’t have one for both those drafts and take Nash off their books . Lakers should reload with assets instead of going all in on a few players. 

 I wouldn’t trade though if say one of the top 4 becomes a can’t miss prospect after the tournament. Unless some team gives them one of the top 6 plus 2015 and 2017 first since they don’t have one for both those drafts and take Nash off their books . Lakers should reload with assets instead of going all in on a few players. 

 I think the Lakers will trade down.  They want to win with Kobe and don’t want to bring in a college Freshman who is still learning the game, like Embiid.  They are always going to be a great destination for Free Agents.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Westbrook and Love in a Lakers uniform in a few seasons.  Or Kyrie Irving next year.  If they had the #4 pick, would they take Exum?  Maybe, but I think they would rather have #13 and #19 and a 2016 1st Rounder (unprotected, or just Top 3) to replace the one they lost for Nash.  They will get the Superstars in a couple of seasons.   It WILL happen.  It’s the LA Lakers, for Christ’s sake.  They need assets to make trades.  They need cheap, young players that make rookie scale for 4+ years.  They need 2nd Rounders, who make less than the $600,000 that even undrafted rookies make against the salary cap.  If they aren’t 90% sure that Exum is going to be an All-Star, they should trade down (or whoever they peg at their slot, which will probably be #2-#8).  Seriously, teams were unwilling to trade even a 1st rounder in the late 20’s this year at the deadline.  Phoenix has the Pacers pick, which will probably be at the BEST #28, and wouldn’t move that and the corpse that is Emeka Okafor’s contract for some extra low post scoring for the playoff push they are making.  I have never seen this before, but the Lakers just need cheap, young talent.  It might seem minimal, but the luxury tax is a bitch and the difference in the contract of the #4 pick and the #12 and #17 picks is substantial when teams are really trying hard to stay under the cap.

 I think the Lakers will trade down.  They want to win with Kobe and don’t want to bring in a college Freshman who is still learning the game, like Embiid.  They are always going to be a great destination for Free Agents.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Westbrook and Love in a Lakers uniform in a few seasons.  Or Kyrie Irving next year.  If they had the #4 pick, would they take Exum?  Maybe, but I think they would rather have #13 and #19 and a 2016 1st Rounder (unprotected, or just Top 3) to replace the one they lost for Nash.  They will get the Superstars in a couple of seasons.   It WILL happen.  It’s the LA Lakers, for Christ’s sake.  They need assets to make trades.  They need cheap, young players that make rookie scale for 4+ years.  They need 2nd Rounders, who make less than the $600,000 that even undrafted rookies make against the salary cap.  If they aren’t 90% sure that Exum is going to be an All-Star, they should trade down (or whoever they peg at their slot, which will probably be #2-#8).  Seriously, teams were unwilling to trade even a 1st rounder in the late 20’s this year at the deadline.  Phoenix has the Pacers pick, which will probably be at the BEST #28, and wouldn’t move that and the corpse that is Emeka Okafor’s contract for some extra low post scoring for the playoff push they are making.  I have never seen this before, but the Lakers just need cheap, young talent.  It might seem minimal, but the luxury tax is a bitch and the difference in the contract of the #4 pick and the #12 and #17 picks is substantial when teams are really trying hard to stay under the cap.

 No.

This isn’t the NFL. Trading down out of the top 2 is not smart in this draft. It is clear (despite what some will say) that Embiid, Parker, and Wiggins are going to be the Top 3 picks in this draft, unless the Cavs or Michael Jordan are involved and do something stupid. 

Trading down to get Marcus Smart or Noah Vonleh, just so you can add a marginal role player who might not actually develop is in no way smart at all.

It’s a matter of opinion, but I still think those top 3 guys can all be stars in the NBA. I wouldn’t want to devalue my chance of getting a star that much just to add another player.

The Lakers claim to be a legitimate free agent destination, so if that is the case, they can build through free agency going forward as well. 

 No.

This isn’t the NFL. Trading down out of the top 2 is not smart in this draft. It is clear (despite what some will say) that Embiid, Parker, and Wiggins are going to be the Top 3 picks in this draft, unless the Cavs or Michael Jordan are involved and do something stupid. 

Trading down to get Marcus Smart or Noah Vonleh, just so you can add a marginal role player who might not actually develop is in no way smart at all.

It’s a matter of opinion, but I still think those top 3 guys can all be stars in the NBA. I wouldn’t want to devalue my chance of getting a star that much just to add another player.

The Lakers claim to be a legitimate free agent destination, so if that is the case, they can build through free agency going forward as well.