The reason why the Lakers are protecting the picks that everybody wants

One of the prominent rumors of the offseason has been the Lakers trading Russell Westbrook. But also, one of the primary reasons, besides Westbrook's salary, that the trade hasn't been made with other NBA franchises is because the Lakers haven't accepted to give up their 2027 and 2029 selection picks that the rest want. 

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In different deals this offseason, the Lakers had been mentioned as a potential team to be involved. One of the most recent examples is the Donovan Mitchell trade saga, where the LA franchise was mentioned as a possible third team to help facilitate the deal. Utah Jazz's front office was reportedly coveting those two picks from the purple and gold.

Utah was even willing to take Russell Westbrook and the financial hit as a consequence to get the desired Lakers picks. And Utah Jazz hasn't been the only NBA team ready to trade with the Lakers and receive those selections, but the Lakers have been protecting them. And there's a reason for it. 

It has been reported that an anonymous NBA exec has shared that everybody in the NBA wants those two picks if they can get them unprotected. So the expectations are that the Laker's 2027 and 2029 selections would all be top picks. 

The Lakers will make another trade to complete their roster for next season.

Of course, the Lakers know the value of the picks they have, been the reason they have been adamant about giving any of them in any trade. The Los Angeles franchise will continue making their final roster movements to prepare for the next season, reserving their coveted selection picks.