Lakers Plan for the Trade Market Revealed

The moment the Los Angeles Lakers flamed out early in the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, fans started looking ahead. As expected, Darvin Ham was fired and the new head coach should be announced soon.

The roster will likely go through similar changes. D'Angelo Russell is hitting unrestricted free agency, and there is obviously the elephant in the room: whether LeBron James will re-sign or go elsewhere.

The latest reporting by Jovan Buha of The Athletic suggests that LeBron James may be likely to stay in Los Angeles.

Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Likely To Trade Their First-Round Picks

In his YouTube show, the Lakers insider reports that Los Angeles will try to trade their first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. This is a big change relative to their strategy last season. Much to Lakers fans' dismay, the team ended up holding onto their 17th-overall pick last season and drafted Jalen Hood-Schifino. The Indiana product failed to contribute in his rookie season.

The Lakers are reportedly not trying to make the same mistake again. Instead, they will use their first-round pick as an asset to get an established veteran.

"It will be the first time that they could use all three of their tradable first-round picks, and it’s a prime opportunity for them to potentially get either a third star… Whether that is a significant move like a trade for Trae Young or Donovan Mitchell or a smaller move bringing in a 3-and-D wing or another big man remains to be seen. "

- Jovan Buha, The Athletic

If the Lakers are indeed trying to trade for a star, it likely means that LeBron James is staying. The front office wouldn't jeopardize their future and give up all of their assets if James were leaving and the team had no chance of contending. It only makes sense to bring in Donovan Mitchell or Trae Young if they can be a part of a star trio with James and Davis.

There will almost certainly be more players hitting the trade market. Regardless of who is available, the Lakers will have an excellent chance to trade for them because of their strong package that includes three first-round picks. It looks like the front office is finally ready to be aggressive in trying to put a championship-caliber team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

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