For the last month and, realistically, the entire season, the focus of the Lakers has not been on the 2023 NBA draft for several reasons. Obviously, when LeBron James and Anthony Davis are on the roster, the focus is on the playoffs and title contention and not the prospects the team could be adding.
There was also the added factor of the Pelicans having the right to swap picks this year and the grim reality that, for much of the season, New Orleans would benefit greatly from the Lakers’ ineptitude. The small win of the Lakers moving up the playoff standings and perhaps finishing above the Pelicans in the Western Conference is not swapping picks with New Orleans this season.