NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers’ First-Round Pick Could Be In Play After Lottery

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a rebuild in the post-Kobe Bryant era, and that process includes their first-round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

However, it’s possible that the Lakers trade their pick before the draft, as ESPN’s Chad Ford recently reported (content behind paywall).

“Multiple sources said at the combine this week that they expect the pick to be in play if it’s No. 3 — with the Lakers looking for a young veteran in return,” Ford wrote.

The Lakers also are expected to be active in the free-agent market when it opens in July. Toronto Raptors guard and former USC star DeMar DeRozan is among the notable players rumored to be targets of Los Angeles in free agency.

Of course, Los Angeles’ summer plans could be derailed if it has bad luck in Tuesday night’s NBA draft lottery.

If the Lakers slide outside of the top three, their pick goes to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of a previous trade. L.A. has the second-best odds to win the No. 1 selection, and a 55.8 percent chance of owning a top-three pick.

The Lakers selected Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell with the second overall pick in last year’s draft. He had a rookie season headlined by off-court drama.

Thumbnail photo via Richard Mackson/USA TODAY Sports Images