Lakers News: Lakers ponder potential blockbuster trades with future first-round draft picks

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The Los Angeles Lakers are exploring their options for utilizing two future first-round draft picks in potential trades this summer. Team president Rob Pelinka has indicated that the Lakers are open to using these picks if the right trade opportunity arises.

“If the right [trade] comes and we have to put in draft picks, we will,” Pelinka said, per Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. He conceded that the team was " "going to always be aggressive to make roster upgrades."

Currently, the Lakers have 14 players signed to their standard roster, including their two recent draft picks, Dalont Knecht from Tennessee and Bronny James from USC. Notably absent from this count is LeBron James, who is an unrestricted free agent. However, given his presence at Bronny's press conference and the hiring of his friend J.J. Redick as the new head coach, it seems likely that LeBron will return to the team.

The Lakers' offseason moves so far include signing restricted free agent Max Christie to a four-year, $32 million contract. Despite this, the team is still looking to make significant roster upgrades. Last season, the Lakers finished with a 47-35 record but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. The addition of Knecht, known for his shooting skills, is expected to bolster the team's performance.