DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
The LA Lakers are holding the second position in the upcoming draft in June and they are expected to draft either LSU's Ben Simmons or Duke's Brandon Ingram. However, rumor has it that they may also resort to a third option which is to trade the pick.
The team will be heading to this off-season without a star and leader in Kobe Bryant, who is now officially retired. Hence, the urgent need for a veteran who can spearhead the young Laker squad. The team has no shortage of talented players in D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle which makes trading the pick a sensible move.
However, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak is reportedly leaning towards keeping the pick and using it to draft Ingram, Laker Nation reported. Perhaps, the only thing that can change Kupchak's mind is if a superstar will be readily available in exchange for their prized pick.
It is worth noting that the Lakers had a strong interest on Sacramento Kings star center DeMarcus Cousins during the regular season but negotiations fell apart eventually. After the Kings missed this year's playoffs, VP of basketball operations Vlade Divac spoke with the media and told them that he may make some changes in their roster and nobody is untouchable, including Cousins.
"I wasn't happy we didn't make the playoffs," Divac told SacBee.com. "We had to do something. I felt we had to go in a different direction, a different voice."
The Kings are also set to draft eighth and they are expected to look for someone who can bolster the power forward position. The likely candidate to be selected is Domantas Sabonis from Gonzaga, son of former NBA star Arvydas Sabonis.
Also, other teams that are willing to trade their draft picks for a proven veteran are the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz. GM Danny Ainge, they will likely draft a project player but if a team should make an offer for their pick, he will be all ears. Raptors GM Masai Ujiri also feels they are in a good position by having the ninth pick thanks to the Denver Nuggets.
Here is why the Lakers are looking to draft Ingram at number two.
