Lakers News: Analyzing Latest Draft-Day Trade Rumors and Potential Picks

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a rare position.

For just the fourth time since 1994, the Purple and Gold are slated to make a selection in the NBA draft lottery. However, with rumors flying at warp speed as draft day approaches, there's increasing speculation that the Lakers may wind up flipping the No. 2 overall pick in a deal that could land them an established superstar or bolster their arsenal of assets. 

So as general manager Mitch Kupchak and his front office army prep for Thursday's proceedings, here are the latest rumblings from Hollywood. 

 

DeMarcus Determined to Land in L.A.? 



Monday night, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported "the Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as one of the most determined trade suitors for Sacramento Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, according to league sources."

On Tuesday, CBSSports.com's Ken Berger followed up with some new information regarding Cousins' preferred destination. 

"Cousins' agent, Dan Fegan, would like to steer his client to the Lakers, who can offer Julius Randle and this year's No. 2 pick—though rival teams doubt the Kings would send Cousins to a division rival," Berger wrote. 

As Berger mentions, envisioning Cousins making the short trek south to Los Angeles is a tad difficult considering the Lakers and Kings both compete in the Pacific Division. 

Furthermore, the Kings don't appear to be in the market for players who will require the franchise to exercise patience as they work out developmental kinks. 



According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Sacramento is targeting "established, veteran players" in a prospective deal, which would seem to rule out the possibility of L.A. doling out a package revolving around the No. 2 pick and Julius Randle, who played in just a portion of one...

About the Author