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The trade deadline went off with a bang, and it sounds like the Philadelphia 76ers walked away with the rights to the Los Angeles Lakers top-five protected pick. Several multi-team deals broke out at the deadline, one that included the Phoenix Suns sending Philadelphia the Lakers' pick as they parted ways with Michael Carter-Williams, reports Chad Ford of ESPN.
What does this mean for the Lakers? Nothing at all. The Lakers still control the pick so long as it's a top-five selection, but the Sixers will take the gamble on the pick. Should the Lakers retain their pick, it becomes top-three protected for the '16 NBA Draft. The Lakers currently have the fourth-worst record in the NBA.
Several point guards shifted scenes as the deadline concluded, narrowing the potential targets the Lakers can look to during free agency. Two of the top five prospects heading into the draft, though, are point guards in Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell. This could raise their value for Los Angeles heading into the draft.
The Lakers still play Philadelphia twice this season, which just became immensely more important for both teams.