Los Angeles Lakers 2026 NBA Draft Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers had quite the season. From LeBron James missing the first 14 games due to a right-sided sciatica injury to the now-infamous Gabe Vincent-Luke Kennard trade (which looks like a steal, by the way) to the night of April 2, when, while peaking as a team during their run into the playoffs, the Lakers lost both Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic to injury in one fell swoop.

The Los Angeles Lakers just posted their first back-to-back 50-win seasons in 15 years. Their memorable March run was the highlight of the season. Once the offense started to feature Luka as the first option, they took off. With a 15-2 record, it was their best month of the year.

That momentum carried into the playoffs, even without Doncic. The Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets in six games thanks to LeBron James, who continued to defy Father Time with his play. However, even with the return of Austin Reaves, the Lakers were swept in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers will look to retain Austin Reaves in the offseason. There are also questions surrounding what to do with Luke Kennard and Deandre Ayton. Dalton Knecht continued to struggle; he’s been unable to stay on the court since his early-season run last year. Lakers rookie Adou Thiero showed promise, both with the South Bay Lakers and the main team.

Still, the roster needs another overhaul. Cap space won’t be much of a problem. The Lakers are projected to have $48 million in cap space. With the Lakers only having one pick in the draft, let’s see what value they can obtain with the 25th pick in the draft.

Lakers Draft Picks:

Round 1 — No. 25

Lakers Draft Needs:

The Lakers finished the season 14th in three-point percentage, signaling room for improvement. They also finished with a defensive rating of 115.5, which put them at 20th in the league this past season.

The Lakers have desperately needed a reliable 3-and-D wing for a while now. They could also use a pick-and-roll center to pair with Luka. Given Doncic’s talents and the success the Mavericks had by surrounding him with defense and shooting, the Lakers will look to mirror what Dallas did with their roster when they made the NBA Finals.

Lakers Draft Targets:

Luigi Suigo — C — Italy

There was a time when international prospects spooked NBA fans. That time is no more. The 19-year-old 7-foot-3 prospect fits what the Lakers need.

Luigi Suigo has strong basketball IQ. His mobility and his defensive upside fit the bill perfectly alongside Doncic. If the Lakers determine he could thrive in the pick-and-roll offense, Suigo should be their top target.

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Isaiah Evans — SF/G — Duke

Duke prospects always pique the interest of NBA scouts. Evans could potentially thrive in the 3-and-D role that the Lakers have been so desperate to fill. Last season, Evans shot 36% from three-point range on an impressive 7.4 attempts per game. On a lower volume the year prior, he shot over 41%, putting his collegiate career average at a healthy 38%. His defensive energy is also contagious; Evans was a core piece of a Duke defense that ranked among the best in the country last season. He’s another prospect that seems to fit exactly what the Lakers need.

Joshua Jefferson — SF — Iowa State

Joshua Jefferson fits the older mold that some teams have leaned into over the last few years (like the Thunder). During his senior season, at 22 years old, he averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game in 2025.

Jefferson is known as a do-it-all type of player. He shot a career-best 34.5% from the three-point range this past season. If the Lakers are looking for a highly skilled player with size, which most every team covets these days, Joshua Jefferson would be a solid pick at No. 25.