The NCAA Tournament begins this week, traditionally an important time for NBA executives to briefly turn their attention to potential draft picks while their clubs key in for either the postseason or offseason.
The Lakers are no different — with Rob Pelinka on the road scouting during conference tournaments. The team is in a unique position — it could have a first-round pick in the middle of the round or it could complete its deal with New Orleans and send that pick to the Pelicans.
That’s up to New Orleans.
But with the 2024 draft projecting as weaker than 2025, and with the chance the Lakers won’t have as good of injury luck at the top of their roster, New Orleans may defer another year.