Charlotte Hornets Receive: G/F Max Christie, 2023 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G James Bouknight
Basically, lottery picks are looking to avoid the dreaded “bust” label. Nobody wants to be remembered for a failed career.
On the other hand, there is a range of outcomes between “star” and “bust” that lottery picks can attain. For evidence, you don’t need to look any further than the Lakers’ roster.
Take Mo Bamba. He’s a former lottery pick. Bamba isn’t a star, but he’s a fairly productive NBA player. Calling him a bust wouldn’t be outrageous, but at the same time, it does feel a little unfair.
By contrast, former lottery pick D’Angelo Russell shouldn’t meet anybody’s definition of a “bust”. This is a clear starting caliber point guard and a borderline star.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Bouknight, Charlotte Hornets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
At the same time, he hasn’t been the unqualified success story that some lottery picks become.
Should the Lakers add Bouknight to their core of former lottery selections?
