The Brooklyn Nets is arguably the team that has the bleakest future because of their lack of draft picks.
The only consolation of being a losing team is that you can grab good players in the draft lottery. The Boston Celtics took that away from the Nets as they surrendered their picks and also take the lower end in pick swaps through 2018.
It was probably the worst trade in recent history but the Nets have to move on, and they may have to sacrifice their biggest asset. According to ESPN expert Amin Elhassan has determined that a trade is necessary for the Nets.
"The Nets are destined to have one of the worst records this season and might as well move some of their most 'attractive' assets (and I use that word in the loosest of meanings) for draft picks," Elhassan said. "This situation doesn't get turned around without Brooklyn adding some cheap young talent."
The question shifted to which star would likely be moved in the Eastern Conference.
Elhassan responded: "I'm not crazy about Lopez as a star talent given his shortcomings, but he can help a good team with his low-post scoring."
According to Today's Fastbreak, the Lakers can make a trade for Lopez as a possible selling point in their free agent pitch.
"L.A. can take on Lopez's $20-plus million per-year salary and still have room to land a couple more pricey stars," TF said. "Right now, the Lakers don't have anyone with Lopez's mix of size and skill when it comes to post scoring and pick-and-pop shooting."
The only caveat is that the Nets would probably ask for one or two of the Lakers young core (D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr) and the Lakers might object to that.
Still, having a solid veteran center may attract other big free agent names to the Lakers as opposed to being the only star among rookies and sophomores.
For the Nets, the Lakers may not bring back draft picks, but younger, cheaper talent they can build on.