Yesterday, ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnaworski reported the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the 39th overall pick in the NBA Draft from the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2019 second round pick via the Chicago Bulls and cash considerations.
The Lakers have acquired the 39th pick in Thursday’s Draft from the 76ers, league source tells ESPN. Lakers will send Philly its 2019 second round pick via Bulls and cash.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2018
The Lakers with this reported trade now own the 25th pick along with the 39th and 47th picks in the draft. With this trade, many people are speculating why the Lakers would make such a trade. While many people are claiming the Lakers are accumulating picks for a potential trade involving Kawhi Leonard or for a sign in trade for free agents Paul George and LeBron James, others are thinking the Lakers will keep the pick to draft a certain Ball brother. Many people are wondering if the Lakers are actually going to try and draft LiAngelo Ball, younger brother of Lakers point guard, Lonzo Ball. LiAngelo, who played for BC Prienu Vytautas in Lithuania after his short stint at UCLA, averaged 12.6 points shooting 42%, 41% from the three point line in 14 LKL games.
While reports early in the month claimed the Lakers had no interest drafting LiAngelo Ball for their NBA or G-League teams after having him for a workout, this trade has raised eyebrows as to if the Lakers were bluffing this whole time, but the reality is is it would be a very long shot and don’t expect it to happen.