By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor
The Philadelphia 76ers have made the first move of the pre-draft window, as ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Wednesday night, just a little under 24 hours away from the NBA Draft on Thursday.
The Lakers have acquired the 39th pick in Thursday’s Draft from the 76ers, league source tells ESPN. Lakers will send Philly its 2019 second round pick via Bulls and cash.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2018
The move lets the Sixers get an additional selection next season as well as cash to help with the cap, all while trading away a pick that most likely was going to be traded anyway.
The Sixers are still expected to wheel-and-deal for the next day or so, as the remaining five draft picks are all fair game for trade bait.
As Wojnarowski stated, the 2019 pick the Sixers obtained from the Lakers is originally the Bulls pick, who are tabbed to have most likely a rough, rebuilding year next season, which bodes well for the Sixers and their chances of drafting higher in the second round.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the Sixers have already received the allotted of $5.1 million for cash considerations this season, so this trade won't technically be completed until July 6. The Sixers will end up picking for the Lakers at their discretion and will be signed, sealed, and delivered on 7/6.