TRADE: LAL Moves Up to #45 in 2nd | Sends CHI #55+Cash

[SleepingHero]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
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.

[SleepingHero]

Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer)
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).

[SleepingHero]

Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA)
Because the Lakers are sending cash to the Bulls in their swap of the #55 pick for #45, they will be hard capped at the second apron for the 2025-26 season.

[DallasMaverick]

Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA)
Because the Lakers are sending cash to the Bulls in their swap of the #55 pick for #45, they will be hard capped at the second apron for the 2025-26 season.

Dang. 

They must really, really want that mid-2nd-round pick.

Seems crazy.

[khaled1987]

Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA)
Because the Lakers are sending cash to the Bulls in their swap of the #55 pick for #45, they will be hard capped at the second apron for the 2025-26 season.

Wait, is the cash used to buy a pick is counted as lart of the cap spent?

[Smitty]

Wait, is the cash used to buy a pick is counted as lart of the cap spent?

In 2025, NBA teams can send a maximum of $7,240,000 in cash as part of a trade, including trades involving second-round draft picks, according to Sports Business Classroom. This limit applies to all cash transactions during the 2024-25 season. Teams above the second apron cannot send out cash in trades, according to Sports Business Classroom.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Good luck Luka.

Pelinka is a really moron, Nico was just corrupt.

[Chicagojk]

Bulls always a big fan of the player "cash" in the second round. I would hate this. I guess my team cares less about the second round. The bulls have been irrelevant for a long time. Why move down? I know this is a weak draft late and maybe you get the same player just hate when moves are made for some extra cash.

I am not sure I see many centers for the Lakers. Not sure about some of the foreign guys. So maybe it is a wing player. There are a list a few guys in this range that I have heard of.

[omahen]

Good luck Luka.

Pelinka is a really moron, Nico was just corrupt.

???

Lakers are currently a bit under the first apron with DFS and LeBron current deals. Long way away from 2nd apron. I don't see why or how could they actually get over the 2nd apron due to all limitations of the first one. They don't have any players looking for huge salary increase this season.

[omahen]

Bulls always a big fan of the player "cash" in the second round.  I would hate this.  I guess my team cares less about the second round.  The bulls have been irrelevant for a long time.  Why move down?  I know this is a weak draft late and maybe you get the same player just hate when moves are made for some extra cash.

I am not sure I see many centers for the Lakers.  Not sure about some of the foreign guys.  So maybe it is a wing player.  There are a list a few guys in this range that I have heard of.

totally agree. Taking cash for a pick indicates you are more about money than winning. At least that is how I see it

[F Gump]

LA has a good track record of making something useful out of 2nd round picks and UDFAs.