If there's disagreement about the top 3 it could help us in two ways. We might get the guy we want at a lower slot. Or, if we have #1 or #2 we can trade down a slot and still get who we want.
We might have to trade up a slot or two if other teams think the same thing, of course. But I think Danny will play things close to the vest, while some other GMs seem less shy about announcing their intentions.
Trading to move down a slot is basically impossible isn't it?
Celtics (#1): hey Lakers, we know you really want Ball so why don't you trade up to make sure you get him?
Lakers (#2): wait, why would you be trading down unless you didn't want Ball? We'll just pick him at #2.
Celtics: oh.
I think it goes like this:
Celtics (#1): Anyone picking in the top 3 who wants to trade up, make your best offer.
The key, as I think you identified, is not tipping your hand about who you want. I think Danny is very good at that sort of misdirection. No one knew we were picking Jaylen Brown last year, for example.