Lakers Rumors: The perfect way to trade up and draft Luka Doncic

The latest Lakers rumors surrounding the 2018 NBA Draft suggest that LA may be interested in Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic.

For the first time in several years, there was no drama around the NBA Lottery for the Los Angeles Lakers. With just the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first-round pick, the Lakers were sitting pretty with the 25th overall pick regardless. However, the Lakers could continue their four-year streak of lottery selections if the Lakers rumors surrounding Luka Doncic are true.

According to Kevin Pelton of ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers are rumored to be interested in Doncic due his fit in the backcourt alongside Lonzo Ball (h/t Silver Screen and Roll)

So, what does this mean? Doncic is a potential once in a generation talent and is a surefire top-five pick. Many think that he will land in the top-three, including Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, who has Doncic going second overall to the Phoenix Suns.

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Any team obviously would be interested in Doncic, he is that sensational of a talent. Thus, despite being rumored to be interested, Pelton also reported that the front office is not positioning themselves to trade for a top-five pick.

That does not mean that a move is completely out of question. While these Lakers rumors surrounding Doncic may be unlikely, it is still entirely possible for LA, with a surplus of young talent, to move up in the draft.

If the Los Angeles Lakers were to target Doncic, it should only happen if he is available with the fourth overall pick. At that selection, the Lakers have a great trade to make with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Sean Deveney of Sporting News said that one NBA GM said that the Grizzlies are the team to call if someone wants to move up in the draft. Of course, this may be because Doncic won’t be available, which only further complicates things.

However, if he is and the Grizzlies are indeed interested, this is the trade package that the Los Angeles Lakers should offer Memphis.

Doncic is a sensational talent and would require a hefty trade package. Also throw in Marc Gasol and the Los Angeles Lakers would have to offer up a pretty penny.

And while this trade may seem ridiculous on the surface, it makes sense if the team is trying to form the super team with LeBron James and/or Paul George that has filled the Lakers rumors. By doing this, the Lakers address their need of size, bring in an established star and only sacrifice $3 million in cap space.

By doing this, not only can the Lakers draft Doncic but they still have the space to bring in two stars, or one star and several depth pieces. This deal essentially knocks out four birds with one stone.

Fill the need at center: Check. Fill the need at shooting guard: Check. Bring in an established star to lure in other stars: Check. Get rid of Luol Deng and maintain cap space: Check.

Plus, if the Lakers were to bring in Gasol alongside other stars, these future draft picks would be very late in the first. With a young core already established, there is no need to add more rookies over the next three years.

The 2020 pick would have top-three protection for an emergency situation and the 2021 pick would serve as a pick swap, the Grizzlies getting the better pick of the two teams. That way, Los Angeles is not completely without a first-round pick for three straight years.

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Again, this is only possible and should only be considered if Luka Doncic is indeed still available by the time the fourth overall pick rolls around. If not, the Lakers are just fine with what they have.

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