FanSided's latest 2026 NBA mock draft has the Los Angeles Lakers picking 24th overall and selecting the University of Houston's Chris Cenac Jr., a very bold pick considering the circumstances. Cenac is a young and talented but largely unproven prospect, and drafting him might just put additional pressure on Luka Doncic.
The thing is, Cenac has the tools to eventually be an impact player in the NBA. He's a very strong shot-maker who can hit from all over the floor, with athleticism to boot. But he's lacking when it comes to defensive effort, ball security and the intangibles. The Lakers might be right to gamble on him hoping his upside will eventually translate, but they'd be putting that much more pressure on their best player in the short-term.
Currently, LA is trying to win games while operating with a narrow margin for error every single night. Adding another young player who's not ready to contribute immediately only shifts more responsibility onto Doncic to mask mistakes and keep the team afloat when things break down.
We've seen how thin this team's margin for error can be. The Lakers have had their issues on offense, especially when number 77 isn't on the floor. Drafting a project wing or guard instead of a more NBA ready contributor suggests the front office is comfortable asking Doncic to shoulder even more of that burden in the short term.
The Lakers would be taking a risk with Chris Cenac Jr.
That's not necessarily the wrong approach, but it's a risky one. We know Luka can elevate his teammates, but there's a difference between elevating capable role players and covering for inexperienced ones who are still learning the basics of NBA decision making. This team is in win-now mode, and they're not necessarily in a place where they could burn a first-round pick on a guy who might be a solid player a couple of years down the road.
You could argue this is even more relevant when discussing defense than offense. LA's defensive effort is arguably their biggest issue right now, and bringing in a guy who doesn't quite have that side of things figured out yet would feel counterintuitive.
This is also where the comparison to past Lakers drafts becomes relevant. The Lakers have often leaned into upside over readiness, sometimes to their detriment. When you're picking in the mid 20s, the temptation to swing big is understandable. Still, it sends a clear message about priorities, this team just isn't in much of a position to gamble.
If Cenac does hit, the pick will look brilliant in a few years. But if he doesn't, the cost will be felt right away. It'll largely be absorbed by Doncic, who will once again be asked to do more with less while the Lakers wait for raw talent to turn into real production.