L.A. traded away their first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns in the trade that sent Steve Nash to the Lakers. With Nash a year older, Kobe Bryant recovering from a torn Achilles and Dwight Howard creating yet another free-agency circus this summer, the team needs a rising star now more than ever.
Sure, the Lakers could find a diamond in the rough in the second round, but the odds of landing an impact player rise significantly if they are able to vault into the first round. That's why there have been rumors of a potential trade that would put L.A. in a more advantageous drafting position.
According to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio, the Lakers may be interested in dealing Pau Gasol to the Atlanta Hawks prior to the draft:
The Hawks own back-to-back picks in the first round (Nos. 17 and 18), and may be willing to package them together for the sake of moving up, insiders said.
As for the Lakers, their lone pick doesn’t come until midway through the second round (No. 48 overall). But, as usual, they’re supposedly willing to trade big man Pau Gasol in attempt to get younger. That may mean obtaining a pick, a younger player and a contract.
However, that deal hasn't picked up any steam with the draft inching closer and closer. So, if the Lakers choose to stick with their mid-second-round pick—or if they have no other choice—who will they take?
Here are some of the names that are being thrown around.
PG Phil Pressey, Missouri
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports predicts that L.A. will take point guard Phil Pressey out of Missouri. Pressey and the Tigers had a tough year in 2013, but in 2012 they finished 30-5 and won the Big 12 tournam...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
