“Use This Pick to Trade for Flagg”: Lakers Fans Fume as L.A. Trades Up for 7‑Footer
The Los Angeles Lakers made headlines on June 26 by trading their No. 55 pick and $2.5 million to the Chicago Bulls for the No. 45 pick in the NBA draft, seemingly to chase Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner, a 7‑foot‑1 defensive beast. But curious season-ticket holders in purple and gold swiftly chimed in, urging the front office to flip that pick—and the cash haul—for Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall pick
️ Fans Weigh In: It’s All for Flagg
NBA fans quickly took to social media to troll the Lakers front office. One popular Twitter suggestion read:
“They should try and use this pick as one of the pieces to trade for Flagg, Pelinka knows what to do just get Nico out for a drink.”
Another fan wasn’t convinced the trade-up would suffice:
“I don’t think they moved up high enough lol… if he’s still on the board I don’t see him getting past the Pacers tbh.”
Beyond Flagg, suggestions ranged from targeting Max Kessler to just letting the 45th pick rip (). But the overwhelming sentiment? Fans want Flagg.
Who Is Cooper Flagg and Why All the Buzz?
Cooper Flagg, the 18-year-old sophomore from Duke, is widely anticipated to go No. 1 in the 2025 draft—especially after the Dallas Mavericks, who acquired him, shocked the world by rolling the dice and landing the top pick with just a 1.8% probability (as.com, reuters.com). The hype surrounding him is off the charts:
- National College Player of the Year with Duke; averaged 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 4.2 APG (as.com).
- A polished two-way forward with elite defensive instincts, athleticism, and high basketball IQ (washingtonpost.com).
- Named consensus first-team All-American, ACC Player of the Year, and ACC Defensive star .
Even skeptics like Bill Simmons have chimed in, lamenting how Dallas essentially “punished itself” by relinquishing Luka Doncic, only to land Flagg:
“To do that Luka trade and then end up with Cooper Flagg… would be a moral outrage… My morals would be discombobulated by it.” (si.com)
Lakers vs Mavericks: Clash of Priorities
Since the February blockbuster that sent Luka Doncic to L.A. in exchange for Anthony Davis, fans and pundits have been split. It was a stunning move—some dubbed it the “dumbest” in NBA history at the time (timesofindia.indiatimes.com). But now with the Mavericks grabbing Flagg, comparisons are unavoidable.
Mychal Thompson, Lakers radio voice and former Laker, even joked:
“And the good thing is Luka will only be 31 when Dallas trades Coop to the Lakers in 5 years…” (lakersnation.com)
Meanwhile, LeBron James laughed off the drama with a cascade of LOL emojis after Dallas secured Flagg (profootballnetwork.com). Irwin and Kyrie chimed in too, with Kyrie’s cryptic “1.8% ” tweet highlighting some suspicion over the lottery system (essentiallysports.com).
Lakers’ Strategy Questioned
The Lakers’ gamble to move up and grab a likely defensive center has stirred deeper questions:
- Should they stay the course or chase a generational talent like Flagg?
- Is a mid-late second-round big enough to move the needle?
- Are we witnessing a franchise too cautious for its own good?
Whatever the answers, fans are vocal. Many are pleading with GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss not to waste lucrative assets—especially when Dallas just landed the top prize.
What It Means Going Forward
- If the Lakers draft Kalkbrenner: fans will likely see this as a minor win—securing a solid defender, but a far cry from the hype of a Flagg-like prospect.
- If they pivot and trade the 45th pick & cash: they could spark serious buzz for being bold—possibly landing future assets or moving into a future first for a higher-tier target.
- If they do nothing daring: expect fan backlash calling for boldness after Dallas’ lottery miracle.
Final Take
L.A.’s $2.5 million trade and leap to No. 45 might seem smart — but in a draft where Cooper Flagg is the superstar prize, fans are hungry for more. For Lakers Nation, the message is clear: “Don’t just settle—go for Flagg.”
