Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are in a similar boat as the Celtics. Like Boston, there’s reason to believe that the Lakers would listen to trade offers for the second overall pick — it was even reported by Colin Cowherd that the Lakers would definitely trade their pick — but for a high price.
Perhaps the Sixers could offer up Nerlens Noel, a piece that the Lakers could move, in return for the second overall pick. But perhaps, and this outcome is probably, the Lakers would turn that deal down. With the opportunity to grab Brandon Ingram with the second overall pick, Nerlens Noel does not make up for that loss.
Instead, the Sixers would have to give up more players, or get more teams involved that could offer different pieces and make the trade more attractive for Los Angeles. Already, this hypothetical trade is getting very messy, and all for the second overall pick.
Like the Celtics scenario, I think it’s a poor decision to trade Okafor or Noel this offseason, and an even poorer one to get this greedy for a shortsighted move on draft night.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks