In an offseason already brimming with expectations and rumors about blockbuster trades, star signings, and a potential front office shakeup, the Los Angeles Lakers’ first official move has taken a surprisingly subtle path.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers have traded up in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, acquiring the No. 45 pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the No. 55 pick and cash considerations.
It’s a modest headline move, but one that could quietly define the direction of the franchise in the LeBron James-Luka Doncic era.
This may not be the seismic move Lakers fans were hoping for, but it’s certainly a calculated one. The front office, led by Rob Pelinka, clearly sees value in jumping up ten slots to secure a particular prospect. With no first-round pick in hand and a limited cap sheet, every small draft decision now carries weight.
And the Lakers have their eyes on size.
With the center position being a major hole following the Anthony Davis injury and departure, the team has been rumored to be targeting international bigs in this year’s draft.
Bleacher Report had previously linked the Lakers to Rocco Zikarsky, a towering center out of Australia, known for his rim protection and upside as a modern-day drop big. But with interest in Zikarsky rising, the Lakers likely feared he wouldn’t be available at No. 55.
Another projected target is Vladislav Goldin, a 7-footer from Russia with a high motor and solid finishing around the basket. In multiple mock drafts, Goldin has emerged as a dark-horse gem in the second round, and with the Lakers now holding the No. 45 pick, they are in a prime position to scoop him up.
His combination of physicality and feel could allow him to develop into a legitimate rotation player, especially under the guidance of head coach JJ Redick.
Of course, the Lakers are also searching for perimeter shooting, another critical area of weakness that was exposed during their play-in exit this past season.
Several reports suggest that the Lakers are evaluating versatile second-round guards and wings who can stretch the floor and provide defensive cover for Luka Doncic, who will now be carrying a heavy offensive load.
This move to acquire the 45th pick is also a signal of trust in the team’s scouting department. In recent years, the Lakers have had success identifying second-round talent, including the likes of Talen Horton-Tucker, Max Christie, and Ivica Zubac. Now, they’re hoping lightning can strike again.
While fans may have been holding out hope for a bigger splash, like a trade for a third star, the Lakers’ decision to maneuver in the draft shows they are building patiently, focusing on fit, depth, and future flexibility. It’s not flashy. But it may just be the first chess move of a much larger game plan.
