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Report: Lakers 'in love' with Fultz, may try to trade up for No. 1

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Apparently the Philadelphia 76ers aren't the only team trying to trade up to land the No. 1 pick in next week's NBA draft.

The Los Angeles Lakers were blown away by projected top pick Markelle Fultz's workout, and team president Magic Johnson is "in love" with the point-guard prospect out of Washington, sources told Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.

The Lakers could reportedly try to trade into the No. 1 slot by offering their No. 2 pick and power forward Julius Randle to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics would reportedly acquire multiple picks - including this year's No. 3 - but no players in the deal they're currently discussing with the Sixers.

Ever since the Lakers landed at No. 2 in the lottery, it's been taken for granted that they'd draft local product Lonzo Ball, who to this point has worked out for them and only them. But the Lakers reportedly weren't bowled over by the UCLA product's workout, and Ball has begun to consider talking to other lottery teams.

Randle would also seem to be a good fit for the Celtics, given their starting power forward from last season, Amir Johnson, is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and backup big man Kelly Olynyk will be an RFA. Randle is just 22, and showed great growth last season as a small-ball big capable of running the floor and making plays on the move. He averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in his third year with the Lakers.

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