Lakers Lottery 2017: Chances, Odds LA Lands The Top Pick And Their Status In The 2018 NBA Draft

After a front-office shakeup following a dismal 26-56 season, the Los Angeles Lakers shift their attention to dozens of bouncing ping-pong balls. On Tuesday night, the NBA will conduct the draft lottery, with the Lakers awaiting their fate of adding a top rookie.

The Lakers' draft status is a little confusing and it all goes back to failed trades involving Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in 2012. Los Angeles decided to make a big push for an NBA title in 2012-13 by acquiring Nash and Howard but injuries and chemistry problems resulted in a first-round sweep to the San Antonio Spurs. Since then, the Lakers have missed out on the playoffs every season and have failed to win more than 27 games.

The Lakers enter the lottery with a 46.92 percent chance of keeping their pick this year and a 53.08 percent of losing it. They have a 15.6 percent chance to land the top overall pick, a 15.74 percent chance to get the second pick and a 15.58 percent chance to get the third pick.

It's in the best interest of the Lakers to keep the pick and not just for the obvious reasons. Should the Lakers’ fail to draw a top-three pick, they concede it to the Philadelphia 76ers as well as an unprotected 2019 first-rounder to the Orlando Magic for the Howard trade.

If the pick stays in the top three, next year's first rounder goes to the Sixers. Also, the Lakers will only owe the Magic two second-round picks instead of an unprotected first-round pick.

In short, the Lakers are going to lose picks no matter what, but they are better off losing them later rather than sooner.

There is heightened interest in the Lakers strengthening their roster now as a way to further entice Paul George, a Southern California native who can opt out of his deal next year and become a free agent. George is 27 years old and could fill the void of a veteran scoring threat.

This year's draft lacks the franchise-altering superstar like in 2003 when LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh joined the league. However, it's also not as talent-poor as 2013 when draft bust Anthony Bennett was the No. 1 overall pick.

This year's talent pool consists mostly of versatile guards. Markelle Fultz of Washington, Lonzo Bell of UCLA and De'Aaron Fox of Kentucky are expected to be drafted within the top five and all three could conceivably find themselves in the top three. Other top players include 6'8 swingmen Jayson Tatum of Duke and Josh Jackson of Kansas.

Should the Lakers lose their pick Tuesday night and once again find themselves back in the lottery in 2018, the options are expected to be more big-man focused. While it's still very early to look ahead, a look at the top high school seniors may provide a glimpse of what's to come.

Michael Porter, a 6-foot-10 forward headed to Missouri, is considered the most promising incoming freshman in the nation. Mohamed Bamba, DeAndre Ayton, Wendell Carter and Jaren Jackson are all listed at 6-foot-9 or taller and have a decent chance of being lottery picks if they decide to leave after their freshman season, which has been a growing trend in recent years. Robert Williams, a 6-foot-9 freshman forward on Texas A&M, might also be a high draft pick.