Philadelphia 76ers Cannot Trust 2017 NBA Draft

Magic Lake

The second variable in this draft is the insertion of former Los Angeles Lakers star point guard, Magic Johnson, as the team President.  While he had worked in an advisory capacity prior to his ascension to the throne, the dynamics of the team are still untested and unproven.

In fact, the more apt term to the strategy so far would be nebulous. The team has been touted as taking the high road to a major rebuild. But all bets were off as the Lakers held a fire sale on their productive veteran assets. The Houston Rockets picked up surprisingly available Lou Williams for Corey Brewer and a 2017 first round pick. But, before you applaud too loudly, that pick is the 28th pick in the draft, virtually a really good second round pick.

Drove Tank Into Lake

The tanking was in the effort to preserve the teams first round pick this year. So far, the Lakers have had two consecutive second round picks in D’Angelo Russel and Brandon Ingram. The team has managed the backcourt logjam by shifting players down the chart. Russell, a point guard, shifted to shooting guard. Ingram, a shooting guard, shifted to small forward. Like the Celtics,the Lakers need front court help in the worst way.

But this draft offers no front court help at two. So the team is expected to pick Lonzo Ball.

But Ball adds some more complications too. The Lakers are truly in rebuild mode, but they have veteran Jordan Clarkson locked in for the next three years. Ideally, the team would land a center and in the process deal Timofey Mozgov in the process. Should the Lakers talk to the Brooklyn Nets? Brook Lopez would shine at Magic Lake, and the Nets would love to get a top prospect. Tossing in Mozgov for a price would be okay too, as the Nets have plenty of cap space.