Los Angeles Lakers: Three players worth trading up for in the draft

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Although the Los Angeles Lakers own the 25th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, there is a chance the team does not stay in that selection.

The Los Angeles Lakers, for the first time since 2013, do not have a selection in the lottery. The Lakers’ past trades finally caught up to the team and the pick protection was finally gone as the Philadelphia 76ers sit pretty with the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Lakers received the 25th overall pick alongside Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye in exchange for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. Ironically, the team traded two late-pick standouts in exchange for expiring contracts and another shot at selecting a late-pick standout.

However, although all of the speculations around the Lakers involves Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James and Paul George, the Lakers could also make some splashes in the draft. With a currently thin roster and a tight budget, if the team adds two max guys, they may want to move up in the draft to select someone special.

While the Lakers are more likely to stay put at their current selection, there may be some names on the board in specific selections that intrigue the team.

With that being said, here are three prospects that are worth trading up for, at specific points, in the 2018 NBA Draft.