Lakers Rumors: Rob Pelinka Urged to Sacrifice Zach Edey Dream for Brooklyn Star, Months After Midseason Rejection

The 2024 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away. While LeBron’s son, Bronny, is expected to be the significant focus, another individual on whom many eyes will fall is 22-year-old Zach Edey. The Canadian is reportedly expected to be the Lakers’ 17 pick. The LA side was one of the teams under which the player was expected to engage in a pre-draft workout. However, two longtime NBA followers believe that the franchise would be better off scouting a certain player they’ve previously attempted going after.

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie believes if the situation calls for it, the Lakers would be inclined to trade off their 17 draft pick for a better player. He is not sure about who this replacement might be. However, both he and Jovan Buha think that Brooklyn Nets’ power forward Dorian Finney-Smith would stand out in such a situation. “The Deal 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 side, ” Vecenie said on Buha’s Block.

Describing the Nets player as someone who possesses “big wings” and can efficiently engage in three-pointers, combined with a bit of defense, the hosts agreed that Finney-Smith may be all that the LA team is looking for. DFS has been with the Brooklyn Nets since last year. During the regular season, he averaged 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists. By February, his talent as a power forward/small forward had gotten attention not only from Rob Pelinka and Co., but also from Dallas, Milwaukee, OKC, and two others.

However, as per New York Post’s Brian Lewis, “the Nets rejected an offer of two first-rounders for Finney-Smith” made by some of the above-mentioned franchises, including the Lakers. A trade between him and Hachimura was also proposed by Zach Buckley. While their efforts did not bear fruit in Feb, the Lakers may be tempted to try their luck out and acquire Finney-Smith.

Dan Hurley, the ex-favorite to become the Lakers HC, predicted Zach Edey to be a lottery pick!

Along with looking at who they will pick as part of the next generation of players, the Lakers front office has also been actively looking for an individual who will take up their vacant head coach position. UConn’s head coach, Dan Hurley, was being considered for the job. Having devoted his life to college basketball, the 51-year-old knew the qualities to look out for when analyzing Zach Edey. Fortunately, what he saw impressed him.

During a recent interview, Dan Hurley expressed his confidence in the Purdue player. He went on to state, “If Zach Edey is not a lottery pick & a tremendous NBA player, then there is something wrong with the NBA”. Comparing Edey to veterans like Ralph Samson and Patrick Ewing, Hurley highlighted the college star’s dominance and believes that he is a “special” individual.

ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony confirmed almost a week ago that Zach Edey was scheduled to have a pre-draft workout with the Lakers. At the same time, however, he had already engaged in the process with the Toronto Raptors and a few other teams.

With LeBron James approaching his 40 birthday during the 2024-25 season, Edey can help the franchise take the pressure off the lead scorer and others, by providing Anthony Davis more minutes at the power forward position. However, various factors, from Bronny James getting selected to other franchises looking to swoop, can prevent the 22-year-old’s entry into the LA team.

Who do you want the LA Lakers to draft? Let us know in the comments below.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about WNBA star rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.