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Two Buzzy Prospects Could Force Lakers to Trade Up in Draft

The Los Angeles Lakers could reportedly move up in the draft for Devin Carter or Ja'Kobe Walter.

By Jovan Alford

Apr 28, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka looks on prior to game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena.
Apr 28, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka looks on prior to game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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With the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft set to begin on Wednesday night, there’s a lot of buzz and attention surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have the Nos. 17 and 55 picks in the draft and could do multiple things with those selections.

Most draft experts believe the Lakers will take Bronny James in the second round at No. 55, but at No. 17 overall, there’s not a clear picture. The Lakers could move that pick for a player to help them now or draft a rookie to help them in the frontcourt or wing. 

If Los Angeles stays at No. 17, they could take Zach Edey (Purdue), Tristan da Silva (Colorado), or Yves Missi (Baylor).

However, another possibility involving the Lakers and the No. 17 overall pick hasn’t been widely discussed, but it could shake up the draft.

Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that some rival executives around the league believe Los Angeles could be ‘aggressive’ in moving up for players such as Devin Carter (Providence) and Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor), who they both like.

Carter has seen his draft stock rise over the last few weeks as he’s gone from a mid-first-round pick to a potential lottery selection. In ESPN’s latest mock draft, they have the defensive-minded guard being drafted with the No. 11 pick by the Chicago Bulls and Walter being selected with the No. 14 pick by the Portland Trail Blazers.

If the Lakers want to get into the top 15 for those players, they’ll likely have to give up No. 17, a player potentially, and a future pick. Between the two options, Carter is the better option for Los Angeles as he’s 22 years old and can play defense.

This season at Providence, Carter posted a career-best 94.5 DRtg (defensive rating), which is nothing to sneeze about, playing in the Big East. The Big East Player of the Year also averaged 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

If Carter continues to improve as a shotmaker and a facilitator, he will be a good plug-and-play option for the Lakers, who need backcourt depth.

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