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Los Angeles Lakers May Trade Their Draft Pick: What it Means

By Josh Wilson

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver addresses the crowd before the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver addresses the crowd before the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers will likely trade their draft pick, even if it is the top overall pick. What does this mean for Philadelphia 76ers fans?

A new report from Colin Cowherd on Tuesday morning may have changed the game for the Philadelphia 76ers, and it may force them to take steps to solidify their chances at a top three pick come May 17th when the lottery balls are drawn. According to Cowherd, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to trade their first round draft pick this year if it is in the top three. If it falls outside of the top three, it changes ownership to the Sixers.

The Sixers already have decent odds at getting the top overall pick. Currently, they have a 27.8 percent chance at getting the top overall pick, and a 70.4 percent chance at landing a pick in the top three. The Sixers not only own their own pick, but own the Lakers’ pick if it falls out of the top three overall picks. But the Lakers appear willing to take the protection off of that pick as long as they get something in return.

Cowherd’s report says that if the Lakers get a draft pick in the top three, even if it’s first overall, they will trade it. This is an interesting way of going about their impending rebuilding process, but they clearly think they can get more in return for the pick than the players they could pick up with those picks would offer them. With this year’s draft class, that may be true.

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The Lakers, coming off of their worst season in franchise history, and going into their first season in decades without legendary athlete Kobe Bryant, are in a tough spot, but have a good young coach in Luke Walton to lead them. You would think they would be open to more young talent, especially with a player like Ben Simmons who already looks good in purple and yellow.

The Sixers could wait to see what the odds end up being and then pursue a trade with the Lakers if the pick is better than theirs, or even if it’s worse. Having two picks in the top three would be incredible. Waiting to see the lottery outcome would probably be smart, but then they are at risk of other teams bartering for the pick. The Sixers could barter now, not for the pick, but for the Lakers to take the protection off of the pick, and drastically improve their chances at getting the top overall pick or a pick in the top three.

Since the Lakers are open to trading the pick, they would definitely be open to simply taking the protection off. Trading for a removed protection is a low-risk situation for the Lakers. The Lakers may also be willing to take the protection off for less than they would want in return for the pick itself, even though that is essentially what they are giving up.

So, what can the Sixers offer? They’re probably going to have to give up one of their big men, likely Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel, as well as a future draft pick — the Lakers will need draft picks again at some point. The Sixers may need to involve another team with this deal, as well (the Boston Celtics come to mind) because the Lakers may not want Okafor or Noel.

What’s the reward for Philly? Their chances at the top overall pick increase from 27.8 to 47.7 percent, a huge jump. They could potentially land the first and second pick, or any combination of picks in the top three, and would be guaranteed to have two in the top five. Unfortunately, though, those picks could land at 4 and 5.

If the Sixers could obtain the top pick and the second overall pick, they could select both Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, players who could develop together and grow to be really great pieces on a good team.

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The Sixers could opt to wait it out and see if they want to barter with LA if their pick ends up being better, or they could try to seal the deal now and trade for the protection lift. Either way, the Sixers have options, and if they really want to, will be able to get the Lakers pick no matter where it lands.