National Basketball Association

Report: Lakers, Celtics looking to trade first-round picks

Published Jun. 20, 2015 12:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Vincent Frank

As part of their rebuilding process, the Boston Celtics have stockpiled a great deal of picks over the next several years. They have three of the first 33 picks and four total selections in the upcoming 2015 NBA Draft.

If general manager Danny Ainge and company have their way, they won’t be picking four players when Thursday comes calling. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Boston is looking to trade its second first-round pick (28th overall) to avoid the $924,800 guaranteed salary cap commitment that comes with it. Considering Boston is picking just a few selections later, at the top of the second round, this makes some sense.

Kyler is also reporting that the Los Angeles Lakers, who have three of the first 34 picks, are also looking to trade their second first rounder (27th overall).

Not only are both teams looking to hit the free-agent market big time this summer, but they would love to have future trade assets. Moving late first-round picks this year for selections that might be near the middle of the initial round next year might make sense for both squads. Saving about $1 million in cap room only makes this more enticing for the Celtics and Lakers.

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