The Los Angeles Lakers have the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Who are the best options for them to take to improve the franchise?
It was a very successful NBA Draft lottery for the Los Angeles Lakers, moving up several spots to the No. 4 spot. The overhaul of the odds was to the benefit of the historic franchise, who were supposed to select from the middle of the lottery. It was good news for the Lakers in a season that was filled with anything but.
After Christmas day where the team was in the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff standings, the Lakers fell off completely. Injuries to superstar LeBron James and young players Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram combined with the morale breakdown of the team due to the Anthony Davis trade saga, derailed the team to out of the playoff picture altogether.
The drama has only increased this offseason with Magic Johnson abruptly leaving his position as President of Basketball Operations, questions about Rob Pelinka’s ability to lead the ship, and even how qualified of an NBA owner Jeanie Buss is. With free agency coming in a few weeks, things will have to change within the franchise or else they’ll be left out.
But before then is the draft on June 20. And with the top three selections likely being Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and RJ Barrett, Los Angeles will be the first true pick of intrigue. There is no real consensus for who the fourth best player in the 2019 NBA Draft and with a possible Anthony Davis trade looming for the team, their needs could very well change.
So with that included in the conversation, here are the best options for the Lakers near the top of the draft.