It's the day before the 2015 NBA draft and rumors are coming from every direction. Lakers have a lot of choices to make and have many different routes they could take to improve this team. Depending on the road they choose to go down, the Lakers could improve dramatically over night or it could be a continued process of a rebuild. Much speculation has been made on the best way to get the Lakers back into contention. It's the number one topic in Los Angeles sports, and will be for about the next 24 hours.
The first step on improving the Lakers is when the NBA Draft starts starts tomorrow at 5pm. Jahlil Okafor (Duke) and D'Agelo Russell (Ohio St) are the top choices for the Lakers. Both players would be great additions but as of late, the likely choice is Okafor. These unique talents bring something great and different to the table for the Lakers. Okafor is a big man at the center position and is a dominant scorer in the low post. Russell, though, is a savy point guard with terrific shooting and passing ability. Okafor and Rusell are in high demand around the NBA and a few teams are willing to make big trades in order to acquire the second pick.
Over the last two or three days, the Sacramento Kings and the Denver Nuggets have come into play with the Lakers in a possible three team trade. The details of this trade specify the Lakers would acquire Demarcus Cousins and the 6th pick from the Kings. Sacramento would receive Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried from the Nuggets. Finally the Nuggets would receive the Lakers draft picks. This makes the most sense for all parties concerned. Or does it?
Instead of the Lakers jumping on a very intriguing trade which would get them the best Center in basketball, Demarcus Cousins, the Lakers could keep their picks. The main reason you would keep the picks is because you have cost controlled rookie talent that you could pair with a top tier free agent in July when free agency starts. To many this seems like the most sensible plan. With a possible draft pick of Okafor or Russell, you would have them playing along side young returning Lakers talent like Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. As for the free agents, Lakers could be in play for players like Kevin Love, LeMarcus Aldridge and Jimmy Butler. Not too mention the veteran and legend Kobe Bryant to tie it all together, set the tone and provide wisdom to the rookie's.
If the rumored Demarcus Cousins trade dies out, come July 1st, the Lakers could be signing one of the free agents noted above. These next few weeks will definitely be an exciting one. For the first time in two long miserable seasons, Lakers have a shot at title contention in the near future.
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