Lakers trade up with Bulls for No. 45 pick in 2025 NBA Draft
The Lakers will reportedly move up to the No. 45 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after agreeing to a trade with the Bulls.
The Lakers have moved up in the second round of Thursday’s 2025 NBA Draft.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers have agreed to a deal for the No. 45 pick, sending out the No. 55 pick and cash.
The Los Angeles Lakers are moving up in the second round of the NBA Draft tonight, acquiring the No. 45 pick from the Chicago Bulls for No. 55 and cash, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
Chicago informed the league this morning they were fielding offers for No. 45, sources say. Other known spots open for trade: Charlotte, with one of Nos. 33, 34, Toronto (No. 39), Golden State (No. 41) and OKC (No. 44).
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 26, 2025
The Lakers have a history of purchasing picks or trading up in the second round of the draft in recent years. The most notable recent example came in 2022 when they traded for the No. 35 pick and drafted Max Christie.
The team is likely hoping for similar results with Thursday’s trade.
A small consequence of this deal is that, as a result of sending out cash in a trade, the Lakers are hard-capped at the second apron.
The Los Angeles Lakers sending out cash to move up in tonight's second round means they will be hard-capped at the second apron for next season.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 26, 2025
This is mainly a formality as the Lakers treated the second apron as a hard cap last year and did not cross over into it.
While it’s unclear this far ahead of the draft who the Lakers might be targeting, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it’s a center. The team’s biggest hole on the roster is at the center position and there are a number of centers in that range.
Center isn’t the only need, though. There is also a need for perimeter defense on the roster and, in general, a reshaping around Luka Dončić after being a roster built around Anthony Davis. The selection will be viewed through the lens of how they fit alongside Luka moving forward.
If nothing else, this might be the Lakers have their eye on a prospect or two and want to further ensure they get a chance to draft them. They’re also in the range that, if a prospect starts to slip down the draft, the Lakers could be a team that nabs them, as they did with Dalton Knecht last season.
No matter who they draft, the team’s scouting department has built up enough goodwill throughout the years that they’ll earn the benefit of the doubt.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.