Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak. (Photo : Getty Images)
Recent reports say that the Los Angeles Lakers could trade the no. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft if an "established superstar" is available, although most analysts believe that they will keep it.
After the Lakers snagged the second overall selection in this year's draft, questions have emerged whether they are going to keep or deal it as the Hollywood squad had always been known to be a "win-now" franchise that values veteran free agents more than lottery picks.
Lakers Nation noted that the "natural move would be to draft which of the top two prospects the Philadelphia 76ers don't take in LSU's Ben Simmons or Duke's Brandon Ingram", but the article also said that "nothing is ever guaranteed" especially with general manager Mitch Kupchak making the decisions.
The report indicated that "if there is an established superstar available", Kupchak will "at least explore the possibility" of a deal. However, without any big-name NBA star offered to them, Kupchak and company will more likely just take another young lottery player, add him to the mix of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and D'Angelo Russell, and continue with their rebuild.
Between Simmons and Ingram, all indications point toward the latter to possibly land in Hollywood as the Sixers were reportedly all-in on the LSU standout.
Reports have also said that the Lakers are "thrilled" about the possibility of acquiring Ingram as the small forward said to have already impressed the team's top officials during his recent workouts with the 16-time champion franchise.
Meanwhile, Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding indicated that LA will still "actively explore trading the pick" as "they want to get better as soon as possible".
Ding also revealed that the Lakers want to significantly improve soonest because the team wants to ensure that the Sixers will not "get too good of a pick next year when the Lakers' first-rounder conveys to the 76ers if it's outside the top three".
The forecast makes sense because the Lakers does not need another inexperienced player to add to their already young roster.
Acquiring a well-known veteran via trading the no. 2 pick and then pulling off a Kevin-Durant-nesque free agent in the summer is arguably the best path the team can take to become title contenders once again in the shortest possible time.
