We know that the Lakers like to build through trades and free agency, not the draft. Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis are just a few of the many players who found the allure of Tinseltown too appealing to pass up.
The one downside to attracting innumerable stars seemingly at will? The team is usually good and often great. That leads to middling draft picks, at best, such as this year’s 17th pick. The further back in the draft you are, the fewer game-changers there are to be found… but like big fish and high school girlfriends, there’s always one that got away.