The offseason is in full swing and the league is swirling with NBA Draft rumors, including the Lakers and Nets both looking for trades.
According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the Lakers are looking to trade their first-round pick for multiple first-round picks. This would mean that they would trade down in the draft to get more picks. The Lakers hold the No. 17 pick and could conceivably make a trade like this with the Nets (No. 21 and No. 22) or the Pacers (No. 26 and No. 29).
This would make a lot of sense as it would give the Lakers a lot more flexibility and allow their scouting department to do its thing. The have had success finding value in the past. Another benefit would be adding two players on rookie-scale contracts which could help save money as they try to navigate re-signing Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, and exploring other free-agent options.
The Lakers could also try to package this second pick with another player in a trade that lands them another veteran player. This might be a way for them to turn Mo Bamba or Malik Beasley into something more useful for next season.
NBA Draft rumors: Nets looking to package their picks and move up
As reported in the same article, the Brooklyn Nets may be trying to move up in this year's draft with their two picks, No. 21 and No. 22. This isn't really a surprising move from a team that doesn't really have a star. This team has some solid players on the roster but the ceiling on this team is a first-round exit to a top seed.
If the Nets aren't gonna trade Mikal Bridges it makes all of the sense in the world to try and trade up in this year's draft and give them a better chance at a star to go with him. With that in mind, it is a bit hard to find a place where the Nets will get equal value for their picks.
The Lakers would be a spot that might be worth checking out but trading two picks to move up four slots might not be worth it. Toronto is a possibility if they completely rehaul their roster. Still, that would require the Raptors to make a lot of moves including trading Pascal Siakam.
Due to the fact that the Nets do not have a first-round pick next season and don't have a heavy interest in keeping both picks, it might sense to trade one of those picks for a future first. A team that would work perfectly for this would be the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets just acquired a pick from the Thunder with a similar trade.
NBA Draft rumors: Kings could end up with Keegan Murray's twin brother
In the final notable piece of information given in this mock draft, it seems like the Kings may draft the twin brother of Keegan Murray. While this is just a mock draft, it would be cool if the family members and former Iowa teammates reunited in the NBA.
The more important piece of information that Givony gives out about the Kings is the fact that they will be looking for experienced players who can help contribute to the team now rather than developmental players.
Ever since, the Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis, the Kings have been on a win-now timeline. It somewhat worked in their first season as they made the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
They ended up losing to the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs but losing to one of the better teams in the West in a very competitive series is about as good as it could get for the Kings heading into the season. It seems like the Kings will be following through with strategy and drafting a player who can help them now rather than later.
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