The Lakers still owe the Suns a first round draft choice for the Steve Nash trade. The Lakers would give the Suns their pick this year if it’s outside the top five.
The Lakers evntually will have to send a first rounder to Phoenix so if not this season, LA would send a first round pick in 2016 or 2017 that are top-three protected. If the Lakers somehow get a top three pick in 2016 or 2017, then the Suns would get Los Angeles’ 2018 pick regardless of where it is.
With all that said Jeanie Buss told reporters that’s the reason why the Lakers aren’t tanking.
“The draft pick to Phoenix, if we don’t give it to them this year, we have to give it to them next year, so I don’t really see what the logic would be,” Buss said. “Try to tank to keep it this year, because we’d just have to give it away next year, that doesn’t resonate with me,” she continued. “I think it’s impossible to tell your coach and tell your players, ‘Try not to win.’ That goes against everything an organization is about.”
If Buss wants to talk logic, wouldn’t it actually be smart to tank? Keep losing, get a top five pick this year, two top three picks in the next two drafts, and then be a winning team and part ways with a low pick in 2018? Seems pretty logical to me.
What do you guys think, what’s more logical? Tweet us @NBAonDefpen with the #LakersLogic or comment below.
