The two players that would leave the Lakers, along with the No. 17 pick to compete for the title

Even when the Lakers were reported to keep their No. 17 draft pick for the upcoming draft quickly approaching, the team could use that pick and a couple of players to trade for a starting-level player, according to information via the NBA insider Jovan Buha.

The disappointing performances by the Center Mo Bamba, who was off the court more than in, and Malik Beasley, whose shooting stayed in his former team, can take them out of LA for the next season.

"There's also the growing possibility that they can make a move at the 2023 draft, flipping their pick (No. 17), along with Bamba and Beasley for a starting-level upgrade," Buha wrote.

The Lakers have several free agents this offseason, including Dennis Schroder (unrestricted), D'Angelo Russell (unrestricted), Lonnie Walker IV (unrestricted), Austin Reaves (restricted), and Rui Hachimura (restricted). So there's little space for Beasley and Bamba.

The reasoning behind that possible movement

Both contracts are tradable, giving the Lakers some flexibility to improve the roster. While the team would have to move a rookie (the No. 17 pick) to make it happen, getting a win-now piece with LeBron James aging makes more sense.