Ford: Bucks and Lakers Could Be Trade Partners

ESPN.com's senior NBA writer and insider, Chad Ford, said in his chat yesterday that the Lakers are possibly looking to deal their #7 pick in the upcoming draft. Ideally, they'd like to get a veteran All-Star to go with Kobe Bryant but he speculates that they might not get such a talent for said pick.

Here's what he said exactly in response to a fan's question regarding the Lakers' plans for the #7 pick:

 Kobe is coming back. He doesn't want to be in the lottery. Of the players that will be left on the board when the Lakers draft, both Marcus Smart and Julius Randle would be instant impact players. But they wouldn't have the same impact that a veteran All-Star would. I think the Lakers will try hard to package that pick to get back a veteran talent to pair with Kobe if they can. But that's a big if. Teams covet the No. 7 pick, but I don't think they get Kevin Love, Al Horford, LaMarcus Aldridge for it. Maybe something like Larry Sanders and Brandon Knight.

This isn't totally far-fetched as it's been reported that the Bucks are likely to be active when it comes to acquiring another first round pick.

Naturally, this intrigues Bucks fans because with the new owners, you'd like to have a brand new infusion of rookies to move the franchise forward. I love Larry and Brandon. They're good guys who genuinely like (don't mind) playing in Milwaukee. However, you would be clearing a lot of future salary with Sanders' 4/$44 contract kicking in this coming season. I'm guessing the owners wouldn't be opposed to getting out of his deal after his shenanigans this past year.

Also, Knight will be in the final year of his rookie contract and will most likely be due to be overpaid after he'd undoubtedly improve yet again this year. Knight averaged a very solid 18 and 5 on the worst team in the league last year. He's too much of a gym rat to not improve.

The Bucks would more than likely have to take back a guy like Steve Nash for salary filler. Not sure what would happen with Nash if he did end up in Milwaukee but if he stays, I could definitely think of worse locker room guys to mentor the youth.

I'm not sure it makes a lot of sense for the Lakers to deal the pick because Kobe's clearly not getting any younger and this would be their chance to find the next legend to replace him, as they always seem to do.

The problem the Lakers face is that, outside of the #7 pick, they have exactly zero assets. They ended up not trading Pau Gasol, Nash is done, Kobe is done and the rest of their players last year were tank commanders. Nick Young, Wesley Johnson, Xavier Henry, etc. You kidding me? The only thing I'd be interested in personally (other than the #7 pick), would be Kendall Marshall who showed what he could do after the Lakers took a flier on him halfway through the season.

If the trade were to go down, they'd gain two assets from one and could have some talent to go with Kobe and they'd still have money to throw at a free agent this offseason.

For the Bucks, you'd have the #2, #7 picks as well as the plethora of second rounders that John Hammond covets. You could be looking at taking Jabari Parker and Marcus Smart with the 2 and 7 picks respectively. Those wouldn't be my two choices but those two have the best chance at impacting a team both on the court as well as turning the culture of the organization.

This type of trade really gives you options in a few different areas (who to take, who to start, etc.). Areas that I won't get into right now because that will be its own post, Tappers. That is all for now.

Be good.

-Big Money