The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2026 NBA Draft with the No. 25 total choose, and it is an essential one as they proceed constructing round Luka Dončić and becoming his wants.
The Lakers’ current first-round picks, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Dalton Knecht, haven’t panned out, however final season’s first-round choose, Adou Thiero, confirmed numerous promise and explosiveness in his improvement.
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Whoever they choose would not should turn into a starter in a single day, however creating right into a dependable rotation participant that matches with Dončić could make a significant distinction.
With the NBA’s prime contenders relying closely on depth, discovering worth late in the first spherical has turn into extra essential than ever.
Just look at the Lakers’ greatest competitors in the Western Conference.
The Oklahoma City Thunder uncovered what seems to be a diamond in the tough by choosing Ajay Mitchell at No. 38 in the 2024 NBA Draft, whereas the San Antonio Spurs discovered Keldon Johnson again in 2019 at No. 29, creating into this season’s Sixth Man of the Year.
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GM and President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka additionally emphasised participant improvement and constructing organizational depth at the finish of the season.
Here are 5 players the Lakers could goal in the event that they’re out there at No. 25.
(And please, for the sake of this text, do not commerce the choose)
Like Dončić, Veesaar, 22, is a product of Real Madrid’s farm system earlier than making the transfer to varsity.
After three seasons at Arizona, together with a redshirt yr due to harm, the Estonian heart broke out his senior yr at North Carolina and established himself as considered one of the finest stretch bigs in the nation.
The 6-foot-11 heart averaged 17.0 factors, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks whereas capturing an environment friendly 60.8% from the discipline and 42.6% from past the arc. He was a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award and earned Second Team All-ACC honors.
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If the Lakers wish to add toughness and defensive versatility, Ejiofor, 22, could be considered one of the most closely fits in the class.
The 6-foot-9, 245-pound massive man loved considered one of the most embellished seasons in school basketball, profitable Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Tournament Most Outstanding Player whereas main St. John’s to consecutive convention titles.
He averaged 16.4 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and a pair of.2 blocks, showcasing excess of simply inside scoring.
Ejiofor can swap onto guards, defend the rim and make performs as a passer, giving him the profile of a contemporary two-way frontcourt participant and prospect that matches L.A.’s wants.
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NBA.com even compares his potential impression to Bam Adebayo and a youthful Al Horford.
With a necessity for rebounding and rim safety on this Lakers roster, Reed, 22, could be that resolution to their frontcourt depth. He was reported, via Dave McMenamin, as considered one of the prospects the Lakers have labored out forward of the draft.
The 6-foot-10, 260-pound heart averaged 14.7 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a pair of.0 blocks whereas incomes First Team All-Big East honors and serving to lead UConn to the nationwide championship recreation.
His NCAA Tournament efficiency cemented his draft inventory, highlighted by a historic 31-point, 27-rebound recreation that made him the first participant since Elvin Hayes in 1968 to achieve these numbers in a match contest.
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(*25*), 22, is considered one of the most versatile forwards who could be out there late in the first spherical.
The 6-foot-8 senior averaged 16.4 factors, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals whereas incomes consensus Second Team All-American and First Team All-Big 12 honors.
A finalist for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, (*25*) tied for the Division I lead with two triple-doubles and have become the first participant in Big 12 historical past to report a number of triple-doubles in convention play in a season.
His playmaking, defensive versatility and bettering 3-point shot, leaping to a career-high 34% his senior season, make him a great piece that may work properly alongside Dončić.
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NBA.com’s draft profile compares Jefferson’s all-around recreation to Scottie Barnes and Lamar Odom (ya!).
Kaufman-Renn, 23, is one other prospect who reportedly labored out for the Lakers.
The 6-foot-9 ahead completed his Purdue profession averaging 14.2 factors, 8.3 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists whereas capturing practically 58% from the discipline.
He turned considered one of solely three players in Big Ten historical past to report 1,600 factors, 750 rebounds and 225 assists whereas capturing at least 55%, becoming a member of Glen Rice and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Kaufman-Renn scores by means of contact, rebounds at a excessive stage, and has steadily improved as a passer, traits that could make him a reliable second-unit contributor.