Perhaps never has a team with the No. 19 pick generated so much talk leading up to the NBA draft.

If the Lakers don't make a trade, they will select 19th Thursday and, contrary to some conventional wisdom, most likely will not select a point guard. Perhaps in the second round, but maybe not even then.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has gone through draft preparations assuming that the roster - including Kobe Bryant - won't significantly change, although he is exploring many trade options.