Lakers Rumors: Three routes the Lakers can take with the second pick
By Jason Reed
![Apr 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers president for basketball operations shakes hands with fans as he attends the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Lakers won 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Apr 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers president for basketball operations shakes hands with fans as he attends the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Lakers won 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/685672812a8f31487a3ef39d48bdffb1e96124183ec8dba7e4cda076b767da84.jpg)
Trade the pick to the Timberwolves
Chris Broussard has brought up an interesting point when discussing the best home for Lonzo Ball. Back in April, Broussard said the following:
"Lonzo, when given open shots, which he would get with the two guys you mentioned [Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns], he will nail those. And then when he drives, he could finish with a dunk if he wanted to. So, I agree with you. If I am the Timberwolves I’m giving up like Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, or maybe Zach LaVine and the number five pick or whatever it ends up being, to get to number one, I’d do it."
Broussard has a perfect point, Lonzo Ball would thrive on the Minnesota Timberwolves alongside Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Playing an identical role as he would on the Lakers, Minnesota needs a Ricky Rubio that can shoot – that is Lonzo Ball.
If the Lakers were to trade away the second overall selection it is easy to see what they should get in return. At the very least, the Lakers should ask for Zach LaVine and the seventh overall selection in exchange for the second overall pick. This would be a huge move for the Lakers, and quite frankly, would make them better now.
This would give the Lakers a star in the making, LaVine, that would allow D’Angelo Russell to move back to point guard. Then, at seventh overall, the Lakers could haul in a forward in the likes of Jonathan Isaac or Lauri Markkanen. This move would be a win for both franchises, and it may be the Lakers best bet if they want to win as early as next year.