As the Philadelphia 76ers ponder the 2017-2018 season, there is a safety net of sorts. Whether the team succeeds earning post-season play, they hold rights to the Los Angeles Lakers 2018 first round pick (protected). After Laker debut, that pick appears quite valuable.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been fettered to the fortunes of the Los Angeles Lakers for years. Ever since the Philadelphia 76ers were willing to trade former NBA ROY point guard Michael Carter-Williams for the rights to a protected Los Angeles Lakers first round pick in 2015.
The Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to land that first round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft if it fell outside of the top five. The Lakers miraculously got the second pick in that draft, and selected point guard D’Angelo Harris.
The Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to land that first round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft if it fell outside of the top five. Once again, the Lakers mysteriously and miraculously got the second pick in that draft, and selected small forward Brandon Ingram.
Lakers’ pick defies odds, and Philadelphia 76ers
Finally, the Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to land that first round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft if it fell outside of the top three. Once more, defying odds, the Lakers landed the second pick in the draft and selected point guard Lonzo Ball.
Now, in 2018 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers no longer have a first round pick. It will convey. The Boston Celtics pray it continues to land at number two. If it does, they will select. But if they pick comes in at either the number one pick, or 6-30, the Philadelphia 76ers will select.
In either case, the pick looks like a lottery lock on just one game. But which of the two teams will cash in? Well, the best case scenario for the Philadelphia 76ers is to see the Lakers pick land at number one. If that does not happen, then the pick must fall to sixth or lower for the 76ers to retain ownership.
If Celtics cash in, 76ers keep two firsts in 2019
The Los Angeles Clippers demolished the Lakers 108-92 in the season opener. If this game is any indication, the Lakers are a 20 plus game winner. Not in the 30’s. And certainly not in the 40’s. So how does the pick conveying to the Celtics help Philadelphia?
Well, we know that the 2018 NBA Draft is chock full of talent. But the crystal ball for that 2019 NBA Draft hints at perhaps the best one yet. In that year, the Philadelphia 76ers boast their own first round pick, plus that of the Sacramento Kings.
Next: Philadelphia 76ers deliver offense, defense still under construction
If you worried that the Los Angeles Lakers would make the playoffs this year, I’ll go out on a limb and predict it’s not happening. But if you hoped the Boston Celtics would not get that pick, that scenario is very much alive.
And it only needed one game by the Lakers to confirm that.