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NBA·TRANSACTION·June 24, 2026 08:43 AM ET

Lakers move up one spot for free in Knicks pick-swap on NBA Draft night

New York gives L.A. a free bump up the board.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 241 min read
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What happened: On a live draft broadcast, analyst Vecenie described the Los Angeles Lakers moving up one spot in a first-round pick swap with the New York Knicks, trading down from 24 to 25 straight up. Per the account, the Knicks were simultaneously shopping the No. 25 selection and offered the Lakers the chance to jump ahead. The Lakers gained the higher slot without surrendering additional draft capital.

Why it matters: Single-spot moves rarely come without a cost, so a free climb up the first round is a quiet win for the Lakers' war room. For the Knicks, the swap suggests a clock-management play — clearing a slot they were trying to flip rather than extracting a premium. It hints at active back-channel maneuvering by both front offices late in the round.

What to watch: Watch whether the Knicks succeed in trading the No. 25 pick they were reportedly shopping, and which prospect the Lakers ultimately land at the higher slot.

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