7. Neither Los Angeles team makes a first-round selection
The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, making it the first time LeBron James didn’t advance beyond the first round in his playoff career.
With their offseason getting started early, Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka are focused on adding premier talent around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They understand that the window to win with both of them on the roster is gradually closing after securing the title in the 2019-20 campaign.
As for the Los Angeles Clippers, they are in a heated battle with the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the playoffs. Regardless of what happens in the series, the popular belief is that Kawhi Leonard returns for at least one more season.
If Kawhi Leonard returns and Paul George isn’t traded anywhere, the Clippers will show once again that they are gunning for a title still.
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With the Lakers and Clippers both in win-now mode, neither of them will make their projected first-round selections, electing to trade for proven players instead.