There has been growing buzz in recent days that the Lakers are increasingly more likely to trade their first-round pick (No. 17) than to keep it, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. In his latest story, Buha explores all the possibilities in play for Los Angeles, including hanging onto the pick, trading out of the draft, or trading down.
As Buha writes, the idea of the Lakers packaging the No. 17 pick with Malik Beasley ($16.5MM team option) and/or Mohamed Bamba ($10.3MM) to acquire a starter-caliber player appears more viable than ever. League sources say that Pacers center Myles Turner and sharpshooter Buddy Hield, Nets wings Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale, and Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. are among the players who have been linked to the Lakers.
While it sounds less likely than trading down or out of the draft, Buha says the Lakers have at least considered the possibility of trying to move up from No. 17. Dereck Lively and Kobe Bufkin are among the prospects the club likes, a source tells The Athletic.
Here are more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Addressing a report from last week that suggested the Warriors have explored moving up in the draft using Jonathan Kuminga, Anthony Slater of The Athletic provides some additional context, writing that rumor stemmed from an inbound call from a lottery team that has long been interested in Kuminga. Multiple sources tell Slater that Golden State isn’t shopping the young forward.
- While the lottery team that called the Warriors about Kuminga is unknown, it’s worth noting that Slater uses the Pacers as an example in his discussion of that scenario. Additionally, when ESPN updated its mock draft on Wednesday (subscription required), Jonathan Givony added Kuminga to the list of forwards the Pacers may explore acquiring via trade.
- In the latest episode of The Lowe Post podcast (YouTube link), ESPN’s Zach Lowe said the Nets‘ asking prices for forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale have been high. Brooklyn is seeking “real first-round pick equity” for those players, not just looking to move up a few spots in the draft, according to Lowe.
- Despite reports that they’re gauging his trade market, the Bulls continue to value Zach LaVine very highly, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, who hears from one league source that the team would seek a good young player, multiple first-round picks, and salary filler if LaVine is moved. Another league source thinks a single first-rounder might be sufficient if the Bulls could get an “established, high-end” player back.
- Toronto has been involved in a series of trade rumors so far this offseason, but a pair of sources who spoke to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca indicated that they wouldn’t be surprised if the Raptors don’t do anything drastic. “What I’m hearing now is they’re not going to trade from their core,” one source told Grange.
Indys not trading Turner and certainly not for that
A trade will symbolize LAL operating over the tax thus no MLE, Bi-annual
I’m not sure a player like Heild or Trent is worth giving up that much flexibility a week later once the bonanza begins, especially once you factor the pick traded back a good bit. A trade also probably symbolizes they have no hidden gem at the MLE waiting which is easy to see as its a limited market where only a few names make sense to check in on. Can still use MlE tho to chop up for Dennis /Lonnie/Jevon Carter types and do a lot of other creative things
All in all those trade names don’t move the needle enough for me to trade for, but its Lakers they probably will just to make a splash
*Also a trade shouldn’t be made until on the clock, you never know a guy like Jordan Hawkins falls he’s a perfect turn-key fit
I thought Turner can’t be traded since he didn’t sign the extension until Jan 2023.
Turner and Hield offer shooting. But if you’re going that route doesn’t it make more sense to re-sign A. Reaves?
DFS and O’Neale – pass.
Bulls front office has a tendency to move pretty quietly. I wonder if all this Lavine smoke is just cover for them actually making a Derozan move. Moving him makes a ton of sense regardless of whether they move Lavine.
Lavine will return a Beal-esque return in a year or two. Bulls should move him now for whatever they can get
Lakers should absolutely make a move for Hield. Fits them perfectly. Knockdown shooter who is always available. Pick 17 is definitely an over pay though.
Warriors aren’t using Kuminga to move up in the draft. They need veterans and would only move Kuminga if it means getting a vet.
I think its more likely with all these teams trying to trade into the first that they will trade out, unless they could make the pick for another team and then trade 19+ Ryan Rollins for a decent 6m depth piece.
Trading Kuminga allows GS to trade up in the 1st round? Are we sure?
It would be Kuminga plus the 19th for a veteran. They’re not looking to move up.
They are never trading Kuminga. Stop putting thought into it.
For LAL, the one spot where they may need a veteran who is starting caliber is PG. I’m not a DLO fan. I’d bring him back if it’s reasonable, but I’d like not to have to. Pelinka found Schoeder a few years ago with a late FRP (in the 20’s) and an expiring deal (Green). He has his fans and detractors, but he was certainly a starting caliber PG that season. Not sure if a PG of that quality is available this year for that price. If not, make the pick. #17 isn’t a bad spot.
Bad news for lakers as lively and bufkin gone before 17. That’s a fact!
Lakers should trade down. Better to swing for the fences with 2 or 3 picks.
Surprise surprise. Raptors plan to stay pat with mediocre team. that worked out so well after last year’s deadline
I know more than Grange though, that guy has no inside source.
If Raps can flip Trent for the #17 pick I’d do that. My next move would be to see if San Antonio would take it instead of the ’24 pick top 6 protected.
DeR to the Knicks ….. that’s the move.
We need his experience and vet leadership. Randle will accept him as a leader. As he has Brunson.
Man I want Obi1 to start. Never going to happen under Thibs. Let him go to where he can shine. Bulls need a 4. Plus they need a starting PG.
Toppin, Quickley can start for the Bulls. Remember Ball is out for the season. D Rose can retire as a Bull, as he Should. Plus he can mentor Ayo, Quickley, and Ball. I’ll even throw in a #1 pick ………
DeR is my guy. He makes us legit. Solidifies our starting 5. And makes us a contender.
Demare DeRozan and Andre Drummond for Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba, pick 17 and a second round pick.
If the value of Beal was CP3 and some second round picks… DeRozan is a soon to be 34 year old on the final year of his deal. Drummond can simply opt out and leave so he really doesn’t hold any value. A first round pick would be about right value wouldn’t it?
Beasley and Bamba aren’t bad players and if you don’t like them you can flip them? Bamba is worth giving some time to in a rebuild.
Lakers then have Bron DeRozan AD Vanderbilt Drummond Christie and then decisions to make on DLo Reaves and Rui.
Raptors have shown interest in Dlo, I’d try make a sign and trade him for GTJ. Let Reaves leave as he will be too expensive unfortunately. Bring back Rui on a reasonable deal. Think Lonnie and Schroder are goners, so replace them with cheap vets TJ Warren and Tristan Thompson. One player I’d actually invest a little in is Coby White think he could be good for them. I can see him earning and having a breakout year
White DeRozan Bron AD Drummond
Christie GTJ Warren Vanderbilt Thompson
Come playoffs expect AD at the 5, with another shooter on the floor. But overall like the big ish 3 and then solid depth in behind which gives you versatility.
I like Bamba on the Nets. Being home would pump him up. But what would it take ….
?????????????????????????
Can BronGM fix Bens head and game. If he can. He’s getting an all star in his prime. Who can play on the front line with him and AD. Seriously what would it take. I mean this can pay big for Lakers …..
Bamba, Beasley, I’m Nets I want Rui …… I’ll take a future pick ……. Lakers keep this yrs.
Then I flip Beasley …….
I have always like Mo, thought he had a tough times with injuries in Orlando. He was always behind Vuce, then he got traded and was competing with Carter Jr. But ultimately injuries got the better of him and has now plagued his Lakers time too..
He’s still only 25, he’s extremely intelligent, and skill wise there’s not many 7 footers that can shoot 36% from 3 and average over a block a game.
Brooklyn want to add size.
And although I’ll many hate the guy, Ben Simmons is on the team and if you want to incorporate him effectively then your probably going to want a centre that can shoot.
Even if it’s only off the bench imagine Ben Curry ONeale DFS and Bamba. 4 guys that can shoot the 3, Curry one of the best in the league, 4 good defenders and Ben one of the best when fit. Would make one of the best second string starting 5’s in the league
Jonathan Kuminga could easily be a top 10 player in this league in less than 3 years. Keep him at all costs. He is part of the core now and soon he will replace Draymond in the 5 as Draymond moves to the second unit as he ages in a year or two.
The only GSW player who -might- be traded is Wiggins, due only to money. Kuminga is better than him and can replace him too. But also they don’t have to trade anyone, especially if the HOF big 3 take paycuts like they have said they will.