Blake Griffin (Photo : Harry How | Getty Images Sport)
The LA Lakers not only got to keep their pick, but they also avoided falling into the great divide between no.2 and 3.
When the draft has a consensus that there are two possible All-Star players, the Lakers held on to no.2 and even if they don't want to field a rookie (even if it's Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram) keeping within the top 2 rewards them with a ton more trade value than if they fell even one spot.
Now that they have the no.2 pick, they can explore trades that could involve solid stars. Lake Show Life had the usual suspects in tow (DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George and Jimmy Butler) and added Blake Griffin as well as Brook Lopez.
Lopez doesn't quite match the value for Brandon Ingram (or Simmons) even though he fills a need for the Lakers at center. With new coach Luke Walton on board, the Lakers would rather go for a younger, more athletic rim protector for someone like Brook. His injuries don't help either.
Griffin seems viable as the Clippers need to get younger and the two prospects would fit their team. We have seen the Clippers "small ball" and Ingram in particular could definitely fit with that unit, not to mention fellow Duke products JJ Redick and Austin Rivers as teammates.
However, the Clips won't accept the pick by itself. They would probably ask for someone like Julius Randle (who would be displaced anyway if the Lakers took Griffin) or Jordan Clarkson (sign and trade scenario). In this case, the Lakers might think twice and would want to see Griffin return from injury (which he aggravated when he returned for the playoffs).
Hoops site Today's Fast Break explored possible offers that were not of the superstar variety (which had low probability). One team that has young assets and multiple draft picks (not the Celtics) is the Denver Nuggets.
They have a gem of a center in last year's Nikola Jokic. However, if they don't want to trade him, they could send Jusuf Nurkic and one of Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried or Will Barton. They might also throw in one of their draft picks but the no.7 overall may be a stretch.
Possibly the most intriguing offer could come from the Orlando Magic. Promising forward Aaron Gordon has also excelled when the Magic played small ball and he was placed at the five position. Walton could have a frontcourt of Gordon and Randle along with three guard. Gordon along with the no.11 pick could be something the Lakers could be interested in.
These are all trade scenarios that are purely speculative at this point. Until draft day comes, the Lakers continue to look at all possibilities.
