Lakers Reportedly Trade Up for Bulls' No. 45 Pick in 2nd Round of 2025 NBA Draft

After not having a pick in Wednesday's first round of the 2025 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers don't want to wait too long to secure a talented prospect.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Lakers sent their No. 55 pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls to acquire the No. 45 pick in Thursday's second round.

The Lakers have a veteran-laden roster led by the star duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, but it wasn't enough to get them out of the first round of the playoffs this year, as they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Adding some youth to the team could benefit Los Angeles in the long run.

Charania reported during Thursday's episode of Get Up that the Lakers are prioritizing adding a center this offseason.

"It's clear their biggest need is at center. Rob Pelinka has spoken about it ad nauseam that they need to find that," Charania said. "Now, will that be in the draft? Will that be in free agency? One thousand percent, that's the question."

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman ranks Kentucky's Andrew Carr, Clemson's Viktor Lakhin, Australian prospect Izan Almansa and Michigan's Vladislav Goldin as the best centers still on the board entering Thursday's second round. There will also be a strong crop of veteran free agents available this offseason, including Al Horford, Clint Capela and Brook Lopez.

The Lakers are hoping to contend for a championship next season, so it's likely that they will rely on their veterans throughout the year. The player they choose with the No. 45 pick will have the chance to develop behind two of the biggest stars in the game while Los Angeles chases a title.