L.A. Lakers Rumors: Alternative Plans In Place If Lakers Don’t Get Top Three Pick — Chasing Free Agent Big Man

The L.A. Lakers have a lot of options coming up and that means plenty of decisions need to soon be made. With a lot of salary cap room and a 2016 NBA Draft pick in the top three, things could really swing in favorable directions for Los Angeles. A bit of luck and convincing will be necessary, though, and if the chips don’t fall where they want them to fall, the Lakers may have to go with their backup plans.

On May 17, the NBA Draft Lottery will take place in New York and the Lakers have a very good chance of keeping their top-three-protected first-round pick. Actually, they have a 55.8 percent chance of keeping it, and they’re hoping that the ping-pong balls bounce their way.

As ESPN reported, if the pick ends up falling out of the top three positions, they will have to send it to the Philadelphia 76ers. The reason for that is the deal made with the Phoenix Suns back in 2012 that landed Steve Nash in Los Angeles.

While the odds are in their favor, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak isn’t taking any chances. He has said that the team is going to prepare for any possibility and be ready to do what needs to be done.

“That’s how you have to plan, yes. And I’m fine either way. I would love to have the pick. I want to keep the 32nd pick. But you have to look at it both ways, and if it doesn’t work out where we get the pick, we get the pick next year and we still have the ability to improve the team this summer.”

Usually, a team finishing with the worst record in the NBA would pretty much have a clear shot at the number one overall pick in the draft. With a record of 17-65, the Lakers landed in that unenviable position this year, but they may not even end up with a top-five pick this year.

The L.A. Lakers do have a second-round pick at number 32, and they are hoping to add two young talents to their roster this year, but it may not happen. Still, there is another option and that is NBA free agency which sees the Lakers with a lot of money to spend.

Rumors have already been floating around that the Lakers are interested in Harrison Barnes of the Golden State Warriors, but they may also target his teammate, Festus Ezeli.

Lakers Nation believes that the backup center role that Ezeli currently has with the Warriors is good for him, but not the best. It’s believed that he could truly show his potential and become a star in the NBA if he’s given a bigger role and the chance to prove himself.

With his size and incredible defensive skills, he’s become a primary target for the Lakers as they believe he could play well with forward Julius Randle. It doesn’t hurt that Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton was just hired to be the Lakers head coach next season either.

Festus Ezeli may want to stay with the Warriors, but if he isn’t guaranteed a starting spot or more playing time, an offer from the Lakers could be very tempting.

When it comes to this year’s offseason, the L.A. Lakers are looking to put the horrors of last year behind them and move forward. Being so bad last season means that they will have a lot of options and opportunities before heading into 2016-2017. Mitch Kupchak and Luke Walton are hoping for certain things to fall into place, but they do have backup plans in case luck isn’t completely on their side.

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