5 Trades Lakers Should Consider For Their No. 17 Pick in the 2024 NBA Draft

The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a pivotal offseason where they have to do everything they can to improve the roster. Whether it is by finding a third star to put next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, or by getting more depth pieces, they need to be active in free agency and the trade market to make it happen.

As things stand now, the Lakers are not a championship contender. As good as LeBron and Davis have been, they can't carry a team of this talent level to a title at this stage of their careers. Therefore, it behooves Rob Pelinka and the front office to surround them with enough to turn this team into a potential contender.

Without much cap space, the Lakers must mainly resort to the trade market to do so. They have the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. On top of that, they can trade their 2029 and 2031 first-round picks in a potential deal. They have medium-sized salaries of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, and Jarred Vanderbilt that they can package in a trade. Let's take a look at what they can do.

Alex Caruso to Lakers

It's time to bring Alex Caruso back to Los Angeles. He is entering the final year of his contract and therefore Chicago might be open to receiving assets for him instead of giving him a multi-year extension. The Bulls aren't going anywhere and Caruso is 30 years old. If you can get a package that looks like the one the Lakers can give, you shouldn't hesitate.

Caruso only makes $9.4 million next season, making it easy to match salaries. The No. 17 pick plus another first-rounder should be enough for the Bulls to part ways with the elite defender.

Caruso could easily slide into the starting lineup, defend the best player on the opposing team while providing solid playmaking and shooting ability on the other end.