Rob Pelinka Says Lakers Have ‘Attack Plan’ For NBA Draft
New Lakers Gm Rob Pelinka Is Already Creating A Strategy For Future Free Agents
AP Photo/Nick Ut

The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t sure whether or not they will have their first round pick in June’s NBA Draft, but they already have a plan in place regardless. Their pick this summer is top-three protected, which means that unless it falls in the first three selections in the draft lottery, the pick will go to the Philadelphia 76ers. There is a 46.9 percent chance of the pick landing in the top three, and there are actually two picks on the line for the Lakers, as their 2019 first-round pick will go to the Orlando Magic if they lose their 2017 selection.

Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka will be a major part of the decision-making process should the team (hopefully) keep their pick, and he will also be responsible for adapting should the worst happen and the pick be lost. Not waiting for the ping pong balls to determine the team’s fate, Pelinka already has his strategy plotted out, per Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:

Should the basketball gods smile upon Los Angeles and deliver a top-three pick, Pelinka will likely wind up drafting a player like Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, or Josh Jackson. However, the fact that Pelinka called it an “attack plan” sounds a bit more aggressive than simply picking the best available prospect. Could he be determined to find a trade that would bring in an impact player?

Furthermore, we also don’t know what Pelinka’s plan will be if the ping pong balls don’t bounce the Lakers’ way. Losing two first-round picks in the next three years, would they still be able to make the kind of major move that would jump-start the rebuild? It’s going to be a busy summer in Los Angeles, and all fans can do is pray for lottery luck and sound decision making.

You May Also Like

Lakers’ Michael Cooper & Jerry West Among 14 Finalists For 2024 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame Class

Los Angeles Lakers greats Michael Cooper and Jerry West have been named among 14 finalists for the 2024 class…

Lakers News: Kobe Bryant’s ‘Dear Basketball’ Animated Film Makes Shortlist For Oscar

A screening committee pared down a group of 63 animated short films to announce 10 nominees that advanced in…

Lakers Nation Podcast: Brandon Ingram’s Potential & Lakers vs. Warriors

The Lakers Nation Podcast is back with another episode, this time we talk about Brandon Ingram’s potential, Lou Williams’ trade value, and break down Lakers vs. Warriors preseason action. ..

Measuring the Lakers’ Outlook, as Challenges Lie Ahead

Over the course of the next couple of weeks, the Lakers have two easy games nestled in between six matchups against some of the league’s best teams. It doesn’t get any easier after that, so imperative that the Lakers come out of the rough stretch on top.