Los Angeles Lakers Have 55.8% Chance At Top 3 NBA Draft Selection

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers!

Thanks to the Phoenix Suns victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, the Lakers have locked themselves in as having the 2nd worst record in the NBA for the 2015-2016 NBA season. With a top 3 protected draft pick this year, the Lakers have a 55.8% chance of retaining the rights to their pick this year, according to Jason McIntyre of thebigleague.com.

Because of a rather questionable move made by Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak to trade the Lakers' 1st round pick to the Phoenix Suns in the sign-and-trade deal for veteran guard Steve Nash in the Summer of 2012, the Lakers own a top 3 protected pick in 2016 and 2017, with an unprotected first round pick in 2018.

The Lakers' pick from the Nash sign-and-trade deal now belongs to the Philadelphia 76ers, as they inherited the Lakers' selection from the Suns' trade with the Sixers to obtain Brandon Knight, as explained by Tony Manfred in this Business Insider article.

Now Lakers and Sixers fans must anxiously await the May 19th NBA draft lottery, as the future of both franchises weighs in the balance.

With the Lakers having a 55.8% chance of obtaining a top 3 selection, the pick is very much needed by Los Angeles. As Kobe Bryant heads into retirement, the team is in need of additional talent to go along with the young nucleus they have already established.

If the Lakers do become lucky enough to earn a top 3 pick when the ping pong balls are selected on May 19th, the debate will start between Lakers fans as to which prospect is best for the team. The power forward spot appears locked down with Julius Randle going forward, would the Lakers be better off with Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Dragan Bender, or Buddy Hield?