Land The Picks, Sam: 0-4 Lakers Are Struggling Mightily

Each Friday, we'll be tracking the five teams who the Sixers are reliant on to keep the dream of #OneFourElevenSixteen alive.

Team: Los Angeles Lakers (0-4)

Protections: Selections 1-3 in 2016 and 2017, Unprotected in 2018

Pick Status: With Kobe Bryant finally realizing how terrible he is, and the revelation of a verbal altercation amongst the team during Wednesday's game, the Lakers are slowly heading towards full nuclear meltdown. Los Angeles has lost all three of their games this past week, each by at least ten points. On October 30, they allowed 132 points to the Sacramento Kings, which led head coach Byron Scott to call his players "soft", and for media members to start sharpening their pitchforks. Top pick D'Angelo Russell is shooting just 34.1% from the field, but it's hard for a rookie to find a rhythm when you have to share touches with the likes of Bryant, Jordan Clarkson, Nick Young and Lou Williams.

Looking at their upcoming schedule, the Lakers take on the Brooklyn Nets tonight to kick off a five-game road trip that includes matchups against the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Dallas Mavericks. If there was ever a time for them to find a win, it should come in that week long stretch.

Chance of Pick Conveying: Super early, but worth monitoring very, very closely.

Team: Miami Heat (3-2)

Protections: Selections 1-10 in 2016, Unprotected in 2017

Pick Status: No real surprises from Miami just yet, who look just about as solid as predicted. They're coming off a 12-point victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves where Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 25 points. The Heat's marquee win thus far came on November 1, where they overcame a 21-point deficit to take down the Houston Rockets. James Harden was held to just 2-15 shooting, thanks in large part to rookie Justise Winslow. They play the Indiana Pacers Friday evening before starting a several game home stand. Miami may be without Gerald Green for the foreseeable future after he was hospitalized earlier in the week.

Chance of Pick Conveying: Off to a good start.

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3)

Protections: Selections 1-15 in 2016 and 2017

Pick Status: Oklahoma City kicked off their season with three straight wins, but is currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak. After losses to Houston and Toronto, the Thunder lost to the Chicago Bulls 104-98 last evening behind a strong performance from Derrick Rose. Kevin Durant led all scorers with 33 points. Scoring hasn't been an issue for the team, however. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are averaging 27.2 points and 29.8 points, respectively, and the team is second in the league in offensive efficiency. They have just three games over the next week, including one in Philadelphia next Friday. They should be able to get back on track soon.

Chance of Pick Conveying: Still good.

Team: Sacramento Kings (1-4)

Protections: Philadelphia has the right to swap their first-round pick with Sacramento's first round pick, provided that it's in the Top 10.

Pick Status: Sacramento's schedule has not been kind to them thus far, with games against the Los Angeles Clippers (twice), Memphis Grizzlies, and Phoenix Suns. Their only win came against the Lakers, where DeMarcus Cousins put up 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Kings will be without their impactful big man for at least the next two games, as Cousins suffered an achilles strain against the Clippers on Halloween. Their schedule certainly doesn't get any easier. Sacramento takes on the Rockets Friday night, then travel to face the defending champion Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Without Cousins, their chances don't look too great.

Chance of Pick Conveying: We'll see. All that matter is ping pong balls.

Team: Golden State Warriors (5-0)

Protections: Philadelphia has the right to swap the less favorable of Miami's 2016 first-round pick (protected 1-10), or Oklahoma City's 2016 first-round pick (protected 1-15), for Golden State's 2016 first round pick.

Pick Status: Golden State continues to roll, no matter the opponent. They held the Memphis Grizzlies to just 69 points on Monday, then won a shootout against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. With three upcoming games against the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, and Detroit Pistons, their roll probably won't stop any time soon.

Chance of Pick Conveying: Unlikely to be used.