The question is, who would be the most ideal trade partners for L.A. to move up in the draft?
As it presently stands, the Lakers will not have the opportunity to draft a prospect until the 18th pick of the second round. They traded their first-round draft choice to the Phoenix Suns as a part of the Steve Nash trade and have thus found themselves in familiar territory.
The Lakers haven't picked in the first round since 2009, when they traded their selection, Toney Douglas, to the New York Knicks for a second-rounder and cash.
Furthermore, L.A. hasn't drafted in the first round and kept their pick since 2007. That was the year in which they landed Javaris Crittenton, whom they traded in the midst of his rookie season as a part of the Pau Gasol deal.
So when did they actually draft in the first round and hold on to their pick?
The last time the Lakers drafted in the first round and kept their selection for at least one season was 2006, when they landed Jordan Farmar. Farmar proceeded to be a key player on two Lakers title teams.
In case you were wondering why the Lakers have no youth or athleticism, that recap should answer all of your questions—so who could help them cure those woes?
Atlanta Hawks (No. 17 and No. 18)
The Atlanta Hawks are a team in instant rebuild mode, as they have the necessary cap space to build a contender but hardly anyone left on their roster. If there is one player worth noting, however, it's power forward Al Horford, who is in dire need of a dominant center alongside him.
Enter Pau Gasol.
Gasol and the Hawks have been linked before, as there were r...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
