The 2026 NBA Draft is littered with talent from top to bottom. Even though the Lakers do not find themselves in the lottery, General Manager Rob Pelinka can bring in a new rookie who can make an immediate impact.
The Lakers have some particular needs to fill, particularly in the frontcourt, as they look to build around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves; however, ultimately, the team needs talent above all else.
Here’s a prospect at guard, wing and center that the Lakers should consider drafting if they were to fall to Los Angeles at pick No. 25.
Guard Prospect: Christian Anderson Jr. — Texas Tech
The most value in this draft lies in the point guard position. With sleepers like Christian Anderson Jr. available, it’s safe to say making the wrong pick is fairly difficult. He averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 assists, and 3.6 rebounds for Texas Tech this season. He led the Red Raiders to a 23-11 record, shining every night as a No.1 option.
Anderson is a great decision-maker and passer. JJ Redick could use the 20-year-old floor general to lead the second unit right away. If there’s any hesitation to select the Atlanta native, it’s because of his size at 6-foot-1.
During the NBA Draft Combine, he measured 6-foot-0.75 barefoot, but the 185-pound point guard has a surprising 6-foot-6 standing reach. Regardless of his physical shortcomings, his upside is too high to pass on. It’ll be a fun project for Lakers assistant coach Lindsey Harding to work on in Las Vegas during Summer League and the 2026-27 season.
Center Prospect: Tarris Reed Jr. — University of Connecticut
Deandre Ayton looked good in his first year in Tinsel Town, and his contract has proven to be a quality one. He has $8 million remaining on his two-year, $16 million deal, if he picks up his player option. His 12.5 points & 8.0 rebounds per game are justifiable numbers for his annual salary.
If they keep it that way, Ayton could remain alongside Luka Dončić for the foreseeable future and contribute to the Slovenian’s long-awaited MVP-winning season. Although the performance from their current center was serviceable, they should look to draft one of the many underrated big men this summer.
One likely candidate for the 25th overall pick is Tarris Reed Jr. He was in a massive spotlight this past March as a runner-up for the NCAA Title. Losing to the 37-3 Michigan Wolverines was nothing to be ashamed of.
Why Drafting Reed Is A Steal
The star-studded ensemble featured three potential lottery picks in Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Morez Johnson Jr. Reed came up short against the trio in the championship, but he averaged 14.7 points and 9.0 rebounds on the season.
His game produced amazing metrics, most notably a 60.7% field-goal percentage. His main weakness right now is rim protection. At 6-foot-10, he’ll be considered a smaller center for the NBA’s modern era, and this will certainly turn some fans off.
However, his upside can’t be ignored. J.J. Redick selected his head of talent development, Ty Abbot, for this particular reason. Abbot trained Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, two players who showed flashes of brilliance during the 2025-26 season.
As long as Abbot and his staff are given the time, Reed can turn into Ayton’s eventual replacement as the 27-year-old declines in his 30s…if he’s in Los Angeles that long.
Small Forward / Wing Prospect: Dailyn Swain — Texas Longhorns
The last, but certainly not least impressive prospect is Texas Longhorns forward-guard Dailyn Swain. He was the only bright spot on a mediocre 21-15 season, averaging 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. He proved to be a dynamic scorer in his sophomore year, shooting 34.4% from three and 52% overall.
His ability to finish at the rim pops off the screen during film sessions, and his touch around the rim is as smooth as ever. It’s raw athleticism at its finest, and on top of a versatile offense, his defense was the skill that made him a four-star recruit coming out of high school.
It got him on the floor during his freshman year at Xavier, and now he’s showcasing two-way potential after a successful campaign during the ‘26 season. If Pelinka were to draft him, he would be an immediate replacement for Lakers forward Jake LaRavia, who was basically non-existent this season outside of only four performances with 20 points or more.
Drafting Swain is almost foolproof, but like every prospect, he has his own set of weaknesses. His decision making, for example, must improve.
As he adjusts to the NBA, his decisiveness will solidify, and he will have time to learn to play alongside the Lakers’ star backcourt. Dončić and Austin Reaves will put him in place to succeed, so drafting Swain will be the steal of the draft if the Lakers add him to their rotation.
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