NBA Draft 2011: Los Angeles Lakers Possible Draft Day Deals

With the 2011 draft several hours away, the Los Angeles Lakers can considerably improve their roster or play it safe. If I was a betting man, I would choose the latter based off recent draft history. 

If there ever was a time for the Lakers to be the aggressors, this would be that time. After the draft, the labor negotiations will begin and fans are hearing that the players and owners are billions apart. There is a good chance that free agency and other offseason activities will be shut down; leaving the draft as the safest bet to improving your roster.

The Lakers have remained passive in the last several drafts and it has finally caught up to them. This roster needs an infusion of youth and athleticism, something the draft provides a lot of. 

Numerous rumors have been circulating about the availability of key Laker players. This is a bit shocking in my eyes, considering the Lakers wouldn't receive any superstars or even perennial All-Stars in return. In my opinion, the Laker core (Bryant-Gasol-Bynum-Odom) shouldn't be split up for unknown commodities.

It seems that both Bryant and Bynum are untouchable at this point but the same can't be said about Gasol and Odom. If the right deal comes along, the Lakers may consider trading Gasol, but that seems unlikely at this point. Odom on the other hand could be dealt for the right price. 

Here are some possible draft day deals the Lakers may consider. 

Odom-Felton Swap

The Denver Nuggets have let teams know that Raymond Felton is available at the right price. Felton could be a nice fit alongside Kobe Bryant, but the Lakers would likely have to give up Odom for such a deal. 

Felton would be a considerable upgrade over Derek Fisher at the point, but I'm not sure if the former Tar-Heel is worth trading Odom for. Odom, at this point, makes up majority of the Lakers second unit. The Lakers would be improving one weakness, but would further deplete an already bad unit. 

Lamar Odom for the Minnesota Timberwolves Second Overall Selection

According to rumors, the Lakers have offered Odom for Minnesota's second overall selection in the 2011 NBA draft. The Lakers would then draft either a guard (maybe a Brandon Knight) or a Derrick Williams second overall. I like both Derrick Williams and Brandon Knight, but they are unknown commodities. 

Odom is such an important piece for this Lakers team to give up for a rookie. If the Lakers can get a solid player in return along with the second overall pick, then LA has every reason to pull the trigger. The Lakers don't actually have control over this proposed deal, as Minnesota has already rebuffed this trade according to rumors. 

Moving on Up

The Lakers have four second-round picks and should make an attempt to move into the later stages of the first round. They should be able to acquire a combo guard like Nolan Smith who could contribute immediately. 

There are some options for the Lakers in the second round if they don't decide to move up, but are unlikely to find a player who could start or contribute on day one. Players to consider on draft day include; Malcolm Lee (Guard-UCLA), Andrew Goudelock (G-Charleston), Josh Selby (G-Kansas), and Jordan Williams (PF/C-Maryland).