When the Cleveland Cavaliers made the trade to get Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. from the Los Angeles Lakers they threw in their first-round draft pick to get the deal done.
When the Cavaliers made the trade they were hoping that the pick would be for the 31st or 32nd pick in next summer's draft, but the Cavaliers have been struggling and that pick seems to keep rising and rising up the board.
If the season ended today the Lakers would have the 22nd pick but with such clumped up standings this year, that number could shoot up the board.
They are only two games away from being the 15th pick which is the first pick after the NBA lottery. The Cavaliers currently have the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, but that is only three games above the Heat who are in the 8th spot so if they want to have a good spot in the playoffs they need to pull off some wins quick.
For the Lakers, if the season ended today they would be in the 12th draft position, but that pick is going over the Philadelphia 76ers, so that's why getting a first-round pick back was so important for the Lakers.
For the Lakers right now, they are focusing on trying to make the playoffs this year. With the addition of Isaiah Thomas and Lonzo Ball healthy, the Lakers have been one of the most improved teams since the playoff break.
Blazers, Lakers & Heat have been most improved teams since the All-Star break. pic.twitter.com/OOBOzK7JNg
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) March 12, 2018
The Lakers still sit 6.5 games behind the Utah Jazz for the final playoff spot, but if they run the table, and a playoff team really drops off they do have a shot to sneak in.
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