The five worst draft picks in Lakers history

A look at the five worst draft blunders in Lakers history.

The 2023 NBA draft is drawing near. This year the Los Angeles Lakers will have the No. 17 and No. 47 picks, which will give them an opportunity to potentially add two useful, cost-controlled players to their roster.

Those picks could also be used to trade for a player already in the NBA who could help them right away, perhaps even a star.

Los Angeles has been rather successful at finding diamonds in the rough in the draft or among undrafted free agents in recent years. However, it has also had its share of draft blunders, as has just about every other team in pro sports.

Here are the five worst draft picks it would likely love to redo.

The five biggest draft blunders in Lakers history

A look at five draft decisions the Lakers likely wish they could’ve taken back.

Throughout the history of the Los Angeles Lakers, there have been some glorious moments on draft day that served as a prelude to some of the franchise’s biggest accomplishments, not to mention some of their 17 NBA championships.

There was the drafting of Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, the two legends who put pro basketball on the map in the Southland during the 1960s.

The year 1979 brought the selection of one Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and three years later, the team had the good fortune of taking James Worthy with the top pick, just weeks after winning the world championship.

But the Lakers have also certainly had their fair share of draft blunders.