The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly pulled off the deal of the day on Tuesday in sending D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the No. 27 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. With that said, Magic Johnson and company aren’t slowing down just yet, as word then broke that the Lakers are reportedly offering a specific package to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Paul George.
Can the Lakers now land Paul George by offering Thursday's No. 27 and 28 picks and either Julius Randle or Jordan Clarkson? They're trying.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 20, 2017
Just heard @Lakers offered @Pacers either Jordan Clarkson or Julius Randle and 27, 28 pick for Paul George.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 20, 2017
The notion that the Lakers are willing to part with any asset aside from Brandon Ingram and the No. 2 overall pick is not groundbreaking, as it has been out there for quite some time. Still, this is a very specific offer from Los Angeles and, frankly, it appears underwhelming from the standpoint of the Pacers.
On the surface, including two first-round picks in a deep NBA Draft would be enticing for a team set to presumably rebuild, and is part of the reason the Lakers made the deal with the Nets to add another pick, but the value of the No. 27 and No. 28 overall picks is certainly up for debate. Beyond that, NBA pundits are split on the pure value of Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, especially as the centerpiece of a deal that would send an All-Star talent to Los Angeles.
It is hard to blame the Lakers for giving it the old college try with this kind of package, as getting George this offseason would further help their cap situation for next season by acquiring his Bird rights, but Indiana might be able to beat their offer on the open market and that could be dicey for Los Angeles.
