LAKERS GET TWO PICKS (HART & BRYANT) TO LET JAZZ MOVE UP 2 SPOTS (FOR BRADLEY)
The L.A. Lakers acquired a 1st-round draft pick in 2017 (No. 30 overall, shooting guard Josh Hart) and a 2nd-round draft pick in 2017 (No. 42 overall, center Thomas Bryant) from the Utah Jazz for a 2017 1st-round draft pick (No. 28 overall, center Tony Bradley).
What does it give the Los Angeles Lakers
It already seems pretty clear that new Laker team boss Magic Johnson knows what he's doing. Hart and Bryant are both quality NBA prospects, and both have the tools to eventually be solid (and maybe better) rotational players. Getting both for a late first-round pick is the essence of smart management and scouting.
What does it give the Utah Jazz
It's hard to like this move by the Jazz. Even though Utah had a win earlier in the draft by moving up to grab potential star Donovan Mitchell, this deal--and selection--looks like a step backward. The Jazz already has a franchise cornerstone at center in Rudy Gobert, so Bradley has little chance of competing for a starting gig anytime soon. Moreover, Bradley mostly has backup tools--he really lacks explosivness--and is a project. One would hope for either a starter-level talent or a ready rotation player with a first-round pick.
Fantasy impact
Keep Hart on your list of potential fantasy pickups and sleepers as next season progresses. He should be able to score in the NBA right away, and he has the goods to push for a sixth or seventh man role on a young Lakers squad right away. Both of Bryant and Bradley will likely take a few years before reaching fantasy relevance.
