Lakers keep 2017 pick, will draft number two overall

With Jim Buss now removed from the front office, and Magic Johnson running the show once again, things keep improving for the Los Angeles Lakers.  On Tuesday that trend continued, as Magic's positive karma perhaps led to a franchise-altering stroke of good luck, with the Lakers not only retaining their lottery pick, but also jumping up one place from their projected number three spot to the second overall pick.

What that means is that UCLA star point guard Lonzo Ball has an excellent chance of becoming a Laker, as Washington's Markelle Fultz is expected to go first overall.

It also means that overrated and inconsistent guard D'Angelo Russell's days may be numbered in LA, or at least perhaps his starting role, as Ball would likely constitute an upgrade over Russell in multiple categories, including defense, athleticism, leadership, and yes, passing.

The Lakers will have two picks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft, at numbers two and twenty-eight.

The Boston Celtics won the NBA Draft Lottery 2017, and will have the first overall pick.  The NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, June 22 (7 p.m. ET) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The following are the results from the NBA Draft Lottery 2017:

Boston (from Brooklyn)
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia (from Sacramento)
Phoenix
Sacramento (from Philadelphia)
Orlando
Minnesota
New York
Dallas
Sacramento (from New Orleans)
Charlotte
Detroit
Denver
Miami
Portland
Chicago
Milwaukee
Indiana
Atlanta
Portland (from Memphis via Denver and Cleveland)
Oklahoma City
Brooklyn (from Washington)
Toronto (from LA Clippers via Milwaukee)
Utah
Orlando (from Toronto)
Portland (from Cleveland)
Brooklyn (from Boston)
Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston)
San Antonio
Utah (from Golden State)
Atlanta (from Brooklyn)
Phoenix
Orlando (from Los Angeles Lakers)
Sacramento (from Philadelphia via New Orleans)
Orlando
Philadelphia (from New York via Utah and Toronto)
Boston (from Minnesota via Phoenix)
Chicago (from Sacramento via Cleveland)
Philadelphia (from Dallas)
New Orleans
Charlotte
Utah (from Detroit)
Houston (from Denver)
New York (from Chicago)
Houston (from Portland)
Philadelphia (from Miami via Atlanta)
Indiana
Milwaukee
Denver (from Memphis via Oklahoma City)
Philadelphia (from Atlanta)
Denver (from Oklahoma City)
Washington
Boston (from Cleveland)
Phoenix (from Toronto)
Utah
Boston (from LA Clippers)
Brooklyn (from Boston)
New York (from Houston)
San Antonio
Atlanta (from Golden State via Philadelphia and Utah)

In other NBA news . . .

Clippers acquire D-League team

The L.A. Clippers and the NBA Development League announced that the Clippers have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA D-League team that will begin play in Ontario, Calif., for the 2017-18 season, when the league will be called the NBA Gatorade League. The team’s name will be the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario.

With today’s announcement, the NBA D-League grows to a record 26 teams for the 2017-18 season, all of which are owned or operated by an NBA club.

“This is a great day for the Clippers,” said Clippers President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers. “Having our own development team in the Inland Empire is another example of the dedication and investment to winning and creating a first-class organization that Steve Ballmer brings to this franchise. We now have a place close to home where our young players and staff members have the ability to develop and gain important experience.”

The Clippers’ new NBA D-League affiliate will play its 24 games at Ontario’s Citizens Bank Arena, which is located 40 miles west of Los Angeles. Opened in 2008, Citizens Bank Arena is the largest arena in Southern California’s Inland Empire and home to the American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign as well as concerts and family events.

The NBA D-League recently completed a landmark season, establishing records for unique NBA players assigned with 92 and players on end-of-regular-season NBA rosters having NBA D-League experience with 199 (44% of NBA players).

Two current Clippers have NBA D-League experience. Forward Brice Johnson appeared in six games for the Salt Lake City Stars over two assignments this season, averaging 12.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in 19.3 minutes. Center Diamond Stone appeared in 13 NBA D-League games this season, averaging 16.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 21.7 minutes with the Stars and Santa Cruz Warriors.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services