Could the Nets be offered the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft with the Lakers?

Ahead of the 2023-24 trade deadline, a number of teams have expressed interest in Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith, with Brooklyn turning down an offer of two first-round picks for him ahead of the trade deadline . One of the teams that have expressed interest in the Nets on the trade market thus far has been the Los Angeles Lakers, a franchise tied for the most NBA championships by any team.

The Lakers have the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and according to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, the Lakers could “scour the trade market for immediate upgrades around LeBron James and Anthony Davis” with the pick instead to recruit a player.

Players who are hyped in various mock drafts and will be selected 17th overall in this draft in late June include Kel’el Ware and Zach Edey. Vecenie believes the Lakers would be willing to give up their 17th draft pick before being on the clock at pick No. 17 in favor of a player who better fits their system if circumstances demanded it. Additionally, he thinks the Nets’ Finney-Smith would stand out under these circumstances.

“The seal that makes all the sense in the world to me, for both sides, would be Day’Ron Sharpe and Dorian Finney-Smith for Rui Hachimura, #17 (draft pick), and like something else on the Lakers,” Vecenie said.

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