LA Sports Hub
Fansided

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

By Jason Reed

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Kevin Huerter, pick 16

Kevin Huerter is another shooting guard prospect that has been connected to the Los Angeles Lakers leading up to the 2018 NBA Draft. There are reports that the Lakers promised Huerter that the team would select him with the 25th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

More from LA Sports Hub

The only problem is that Huerter may not even be available when the 25th overall pick rolls around. Although Huerter is having surgery on his hand and may expect that to hurt his draft stock, he still will be available for training camp and is easily a late-lottery talent.

Los Angeles may have to pull the string on this trade if they are really in love with Huerter and anticipate a team before them selecting him. The Bucks, Spurs and Hawks are three potential teams that could use Huerter’s talent at shooting guard.

Those teams are selecting 17th, 18th and 19th, respectively. Thus, the Lakers are going to need to jump the three teams in order to secure Huerter, if they do hear these rumblings.

The Phoenix Suns are owners of the 16th overall pick, which originally was the Miami Heat’s. With the Suns already owning the first overall pick, the team could look to trade down to add stock in future draft picks.

This trade would be just like the trade before with the 76ers. The Lakers would likely need to send the Cavaliers pick, a lottery protected pick next year as well as a second-round pick.

Next: Lakers: Top 30 Greatest Players of All-Time

And while it may seem like a hefty trade to move up nine spots, the Lakers need help at shooting guard. If the team is as high on Kevin Huerter as the reports indicate, this deal is more than worth it.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers