With the 2025 NBA Draft underway, some Los Angeles Lakers fans were disappointed and confused to see that their team did not have a single pick in the first round.
After finishing the season with the third-best record in the Western Conference, the Lakers lost their first-round matchup against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. With an aging LeBron James on the roster, the team might need to start preparing for the future, and securing a top prospect would have been ideal.
So, why don’t the Lakers have a first-round pick, and which selections do they have?
Which Picks Do the Lakers Have, and Why Didn’t They Have a First-Rounder?
Although it’s been half a decade since the Lakers traded for Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans, the organization had to give up a haul to convince New Orleans to part ways with one of their star players. The Pelicans got back Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks (including the Lakers’ 2025 selection).
Since the Lakers won an NBA championship from the deal in 2020 and later traded Davis to acquire Luka Dončić, maybe the price was worth it. But it’s still costing them. This time, the cost is their shot at one of the top 30 players in this year’s draft.
The Lakers initially held the No. 55 pick in the second round, but they pulled off a trade on Thursday afternoon to package No. 55 and cash considerations to acquire the No. 45 pick from the Chicago Bulls.
Los Angeles will try to find a diamond in the rough in the second round, as they still have several needs on their roster (such as a center). Still, it is possible an unbelievable talent can fall, as evidenced by Nikola Jokić’s historic career after being selected 41st by the Denver Nuggets.
Last year, the Lakers selected Bronny James with the No. 55 pick in an effort to pair him with his father and create an iconic moment in league history. This year’s pick likely won’t draw that kind of attention. Like James, whoever they take will probably have to prove himself in the G League before earning a full-time roster spot.
Either way, it looks like the Lakers will continue to lean on their current group. The team still needs a center and may use the pick to add size and defense. Only time will tell what this second-rounder can bring to the historic franchise.
