issue 32// vol 47 Highlights from the NBA draft » The biggest news wasn't even a draft pick Mo Hussain Sports Reporter he NBA draft wrapped up with many noteworthy transactions taking place. Whether it was a trade that built the next super team or surprising picks not many expected, this draft had plenty of action. Here are three things to take away from last Thursday’s draft: LAKER SUPER TEAM It’s quite ironic that the biggest news to come out of Thursday's draft wasn’t an actual draft pick, but rather a trade that sent shockwaves through the basketball world.. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook and two second round picks in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrez] Harrell, and the Lakers 22nd pick at the draft. Westbrook will join the dominant duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis next year in pursuit of his first NBA championship. Westbrook has averaged an astounding triple-double in four of his last five seasons. The Lakers look to bounce back from a disappointing first round exit this past season and hope this move can give this team its second championship in three years. RAPTORS MAKE A SUPRISING PICK When the Toronto Raptors were on the clock to select a player with their fourth overall pick, the consensus was that they would go with point guard Jalen Suggs out of Gonzaga University. Suggs was notably famous for hitting a buzzer beater that sent The Lions awaken » After a year off, the BC Lions are looking to regain momentum as the new season begins Craig Allan Business Manager their long-time owner, David Braley—who owned the team since 1996—passed away in October. While Braley O: November 2, 2019, the British Columbia Lions lost to the Calgary Stampeders. This brought the end to their 2019 season. With the playoffs far out of sight by this point, the Lions looked to overhaul their roster for a better 2020 season. This included firing head coach DeVone Claybrooks, bringing in veteran coach and Grey Cup champion Rick Campbell, and finding offensive linemen that could help defend Michael Reilly (who was sacked more than any other quarterback in the league). Little did the Lions (or anyone else) know, planning for a Canadian Football League season in 2020 would be a fruitless endeavour. After being refused a loan from the government and unable to make a significant enough profit without fans in the stands due to COVID-19, the CFL decided to cancel the 2020 season. After 21 months and an offseason that included discussions of a possible merger with the upstart XFL that ultimately fell through (thank god), the CFL is finally beginning a shortened 2021 CFL season this week. This season will be a rebuilding year for the Lions. This is evident from their defensive line, which will be almost entirely assembled with players that have little to no CFL experience. The offensive line will also be overhauled to provide more protection for Michael Reilly. New offensive line coach Kelly Bates, who came in midway through 2019, already began to yield noticeable improvements in the offensive line in the ladder half of the season. Bates is no doubt hoping that the long layoff does not stop the momentum he and the offense developed last year. This season will also see the Lions enter a period of uncertainty regarding ownership as well. This is because has left the team with enough money to get through the next three seasons (though this number might be inaccurate as it may not factor in the pandemic) this does represent a time of great uncertainty for the Lions. It is no secret that the CFL has struggled to gain the support of fans in the major markets of Toronto, Montreal, and Gonzaga to the NCAA championship game in April. However, the Raptors instead selected forward Scottie Barnes out of Florida State University. Barnes wasn‘ all that behind Suggs in some draft boards, but selecting Barnes surprised many due to what the Raptors already have. The Raptors already have two young forwards that they can build the team around in Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. It will be interesting to see how they fit the 20-year-old into their system. WARRIORS HIT THE LOTTERY After reportedly rejecting an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers that would have the team acquire Ben Simmons in exchange for the Golden State Warriors two lottery picks, the team made some noteworthy selections. With the seventh pick, the sports // no. 7 Warriors selected forward Jonathan Kuminga out of the G-league Ignite. Kuminga was projected to go slightly ahead of the teams pick, but he managed to fall into their laps. Kuminga averaged close to 16 points and seven assists a game in his only season in the G-league. This is quite impressive considering he is only 18 years old and is producing these kinds of stats against grown men. The Warriors also selected guard Moses Moody out of Arkansas University with the 14th pick. Moody was also projected to go much higher than the team expected. He brings the team his tremendous shooting ability as he averaged close to 17 points a game and shot 42 per cent from the field last season. Vancouver. With the CFL in a very precarious position right now due to not playing the 2020 season, the Braley family estate may have trouble finding a new owner to take on a team that has consistently lost fans season after season. On a personal note, | am excited for the return of the Lions. I have been a Lions season ticket holder since 2004 and the Lions being there has helped me get through some tough times. Whenever I would be working two Illustration by Athena Little iobs, six days a week (11 shifts in a row in some cases), knowing that going to Lions games gave me an excuse to take a day off. I always viewed BC Place as kind of like my summer home; a home that I have to get patted down before I go in, but a home none the less. I have had a lot of sporting fandom disappointment in my life. Whether it was the Vancouver Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association moving in 2001 or the Montreal Expos of Major League Baseball moving in 2004, sports teams have always let me down in ways very few fans ever experience. The Lions are the outlier. Sure, they don’t win the championship every year, but they have always been there, and with my record of sports fandom, that is enough. This already weird season is starting off on an uneven foot already. Not only are they not facing any pre-season opponents, but they had to cut their training camp in Kamloops short due to the wildfire smoke in the area. Hopefully this will not hurt the Lions as they look to improve from their last season. As they get set to play this critical season of CFL football, the Lions will no doubt be trying to win over the event-starved fans of Vancouver and maybe get the attention of some owners with deep pockets. The Lions are the oldest professional team on the Canadian West Coast, and a good season can help ensure that streak continues long into the future.