The Los Angeles Lakers will be picking second at the upcoming NBA Draft and surely they will use that to select either Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns, whoever is not taken in by the Minnesota Timberwolves who will be making the first pick.
Regardless of whether it would be Okafor or Towns, the big question is on whether the Lakers will keep their pick or use him as trade bait for an established player.
This scenario comes into mind since general manager Mitch Kupchak bared before the NBA Lottery that the Lakers would explore all options, including possibly trading their top pick.
The Lakers are in dire straits and are aching to get back on the winning track and a team full of rookies may not necessarily catapult them back into contention. Hence, the Lakers seem to be looking more at the free agent market and the top pick could be part of a possible deal.
Aside from the number 2 pick, the Lakers will also be picking 27th and 34th in the NBA Draft. Word has it that the Lakers have been exploring the international scene and could be adding a couple of European players to the fold.
The Lakers are also expected to make a go for the top free agents later in July. Among the big names which they can try to lure in are LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Greg Monroe and DeAndre Jordan.
Rajon Rondo is also on the Lakers' radar and the only thing that is left is actually how much money Rondo would be asking. Rondo and Kobe Bryant already had a meeting last December and many believe that the meeting was more or less about Rondo joining the team next season.
The Lakers are expected to make a big revamp for next season. Expected to go are Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer and probably even Nick Young and Wesley Johnson. Jordan Hill could be traded and other names aside from Kobe, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson seem to be sure of returning.
Whatever plans Kupchack has in mind should be known in the coming weeks, especially the period between the NBA Draft and the NBA Free Agency period.
