Philadelphia 76ers Find Los Angeles Lakers 2017 First Round Pick Growing In Value
By Bret Stuter
The Los Angeles Lakers owe their first round pick (top-3 protected) to the Philadelphia 76ers. Ranked 23rd this season, that pick will likely convey. Meanwhile, its value continues to inflate.
The Philadelphia 76ers have waited patiently to cash in on the rights to the Los Angeles Lakers first round pick. This is not just any pick. As a matter of fact, it was a pick garnered from a rather intricate three team trade involving the Phoenix Suns, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a deal which would place Philadelphia 76ers president Sam Hinkie in the gray area between genius and off-his-rocker. To acquire the rare lottery pick, the Philadelphia 76ers surrendered rookie point guard Michael Carter Williams, who landed with the Bucks. In return, the 76ers received the first round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers from the Phoenix Suns.
The trade happened on February 20, 2015.
The pick did not convey in 2015 (top five protected, landed two), nor did it convey in 2016 (top three protected, landed two). In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers first round pick remains a top-three protected pick, but is unlikely to trigger protection.
Oh The Stories You Could tell
This pick has developed it’s own history over time. The pick began as compensation for the trade of Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Phoenix Suns. The cursed pick seemed to cause disaster to the Los Angeles Lakers from the moment it left. It comprised the last of a four draft pick package which brought Nash to the Lakers. Nash never delivered, but the picks have.
it was the beginning of the end for the Los Angeles Lakers