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28 Jan 2022 15:59:24
VALUE OF LAKERS 2027 PICK
Future projections are difficult to make, especially five years out. But given the Lakers position and their lack of assets outside of their 2027 pick, it has me trying to speculate what the value of that might actually be. Bear with me on this one:
The Lakers have been a draw for top tier players for the last couple of decades, but they've also had two of the game's most transcendent players for the better part of that time, which has me wondering; will they have the same draw a few years from now with Lebron (possibly) off the team? Even if he plays well into his 40's it's likely it becomes harder and harder to stay healthy and have the same impact on the team. Consider Bryant's last couple of seasons in the league. He still produced at a high level when healthy, but it didn't change the course of the team during that time.
Unless they learn from this season and let the front office surround them with the right supporting cast rather than bringing in their aging veteran friends, it'll be awhile before they have a solid set of young players they can develop into the right roles. Particularly with their scarcity of picks over the next few years.
So if we're looking into our crystal ball and projecting ahead to the 2025-2026 season:
IF James and Davis are still around, you're looking at two aging, banged up vets. IF they can stay healthy, will they still have the same impact on the game they've had historically? Will a Lakers team that features this duo still be as attractive to other top tier vets looking for a ring? Or will we be looking at something closer to the 2013-2016 Lakers with an aging and banged up Kobe and Gasol?
If it's the latter, that pick all of a sudden looks a lot more attractive. Keep in mind they had the number 2 overall pick three of those years (with 2014 being the outlier at no. 7) following a similar strategy. Remember when they signed a 38 year old Steve Nash?
I just get this sense that history may be repeating itself. It would be a gamble to give up a solid piece for that pick NOW, but there's also a very good chance that gamble pays off handsomely in a handful of years. For the right team (thinking Pacers with Turner or Pistons with Grant, for example) it might be worth the gamble.
Curious to hear your thoughts.
1.) 29 Jan 2022 23:35:19
Personally I wouldn't give up a 2027 first round pick to get someone now other than maybe Marcus Smart. The fact is the defense for the Lakers this season isn't really that good. They will be top a 7th seed and low out of the tournament all together. I say they do make the play in tournament though. Lebron James will be gone well before the 2025-26 season and I say Anthony Davis will be gone as well. That will leave the Lakers in a position of rebuilding turning that time. Yes the Lakers could go after some stars like they did with Lebron and AD but nobody can really predict if the Lakers can get a championship level talent at that time.
As far as gambling the 2027 pick the Lakers have offered the pick along with a package of THT and Nunn to several teams including the Kings for Hield and Pistons for Grant. Nobody seems to really be that interested in the package. The only team willing to take the 2027 pick is the Rockets in exchange the Lakers take John Wall for Russell Westbrook. I wouldn't do that deal and based on reports the Lakers aren't interested. Lakers fans are so pushy. They don't want to wait or build a team. Trade or sign a player. Fact is nobody wants what the Lakers got right now.