The Los Angeles Lakers have made a habit out of trading first-round draft picks for proven talent during the Rob Pelinka era. The most easily defensible examples of that trend are the respective trades for Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic, but it's been far from a superstar-exclusive decision.
After years of trading away what could've become quality and cost-friendly pieces, the Lakers are right back to where they started: Needing to trade a first-round pick for a meaningful upgrade.
Los Angeles has traded first-round draft picks in trades that brought in the likes of D'Angelo Russell, Dennis Schröder, and Russell Westbrook.