NBA draft news: Los Angeles Lakers prepared for worst in draft lottery

The Los Angeles Lakers have wrapped up another disappointing season after they missed the NBA playoffs again. Similar to past years, the Lakers will look into the summer to improve starting with the 2017 NBA Draft.

The 2017 NBA Draft will take place on May 16, with the Lakers having a 56-percent chance of keeping their pick in the top three, ESPN reported. The team finished the NBA season with the second-worst record but even that doesn’t guarantee them a slot to pick among the top three. Their fate hinges on the NBA lottery, with a 47-percent chance of falling out of the first three slots.

It is a reality the Lakers have to face. Other teams went through the same process in the past. A good example is the New York Knicks in 2015. They had the second-best chance of winning the lottery but slipped to the fourth slot, Sports Illustrated reported. Nevertheless, they still got a good player in Kristaps Porzingis. The Latvian was the “steal” of that draft class.

For new Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, it is what it is. He said that they do have a plan that includes moving forward without relying too much on the draft. Does this mean they will trade their slot for the 2017 NBA Draft?

The Lakers will likely pick whoever they think is worthy but could end the night with other picks. There is a deal involving Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets. The first-round pick of the Rockets would be sent to the Lakers - hopefully, someone who pans out.

Also, Pelinka singled out the fact that they do have a first-round pick. That alone is a privilege on their end. If not this year, the Lakers can fast-forward to 2018. In all, the turnaround most are hoping to see from the Lakers will not happen overnight. It is a process that takes time to achieve.

Pelinka likens the Lakers’ situation to a Rubik’s Cube where there are 1,000 different ways to turn it until the colors line up accordingly. Tying that up with the upcoming NBA draft, the Lakers may or may not have a pick. The point is, the Lakers need to make some moves and do so until they get it right.

Looking at the young roster, the Lakers have some of the pieces together. The team just needs more moves and eventually, Los Angeles will be up there dominating and winning like before.