This was a three-team deal involving the Washington Wizards, so the Lakers also sent Isaac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones, Moritz Wagner and a 2022 2nd round draft pick to D.C. The aforementioned 2024/2025 first-round draft pick is the final piece of the trade puzzle.
The Lakers therefore hold the No. 17 and No. 55 overall picks in the NBA draft. They have some work to do to reshape the roster after a quick first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.
The latest mock draft choices for the Lakers via Jonathan Wasserman for Bleacher Report have L.A. picking Baylor big man Yves Messi at No. 17 and USC guard Bronny James, the son of Lakers star LeBron James, at No. 55.
L.A. has some other decisions to make. There was talk about adding a third star around Davis and LeBron James, but it seems the team is more focused on adding more depth behind them instead, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
“My sense right now is they’re leaning more toward upgrading the supporting cast rather than the three-star model,” Buha said, starting at the 2:30 mark.
The New Orleans Pelicans have deferred their first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade to 2025, meaning that L.A. is in position to pick 17th overall in 2024.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony reported the news on Friday. On Saturday, Wojnarowski reported the Pelicans filed official notice with the NBA to confirm the decision.
Bobby Marks of ESPN shared an updated look at L.A.’s updated draft assets following the news:
Throughout his one season with the USC Trojans in college, James showed off elite defensive ability. He has the quickness, strength, and ability to be a very good defender. Los Angeles believes that James’ offensive game will come with development.
James is under a lot of scrutiny. He is expected to find future success in the NBA with the amount of hype that has surrounded him. Fans also call attention to the fact that he didn’t put up big numbers in his lone college season.
While he may not have had a lot of on-court success at USC, James found success off the court in the NIL market.
