After lacking tradable assets going back to 2021, the Los Angeles Lakers have some chips they can use to reload and make one more run at an NBA championship while LeBron James is still around and playing at a high level.
They will have the No. 17 and No. 47 picks in June 22’s 2023 NBA draft, and the No. 17 pick should have some value on the open market.
In addition, Los Angeles has the expiring contracts of Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba to play with, as well as the possibility of using guard D’Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade.
According to Jovan Buha, the Lakers may end up flipping that No. 17 pick plus Beasley and Bamba for a player who is good enough to be in their starting lineup right away.
Via The Athletic:
“There’s also the growing possibility that they can make a move at the 2023 draft, flipping their pick (No. 17), along with Bamba and/or Beasley for a starting-level upgrade.”
The team may not be that far from winning another Larry O’Brien Trophy, but, more likely than not, one upgrade in their starting lineup may be needed to bring home that trophy next June.