The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2026 offseason with a plan that appears to be focused on building around their 27-year-old superstar, Luka Doncic.
Building a team around Luka isn’t complicated like Action Bronson’s bars, and Rob Pelinka is well aware of that. Reports have suggested LA plans to follow the same formula the Dallas Mavericks used in 2024 when they built an NBA finalist around Luka.
One way the Lakers could add a piece resembling what Dallas had in the 2023-24 season is by using their 25 overall pick to select Arizona forward Koa Peat. He is a strong rebounder and a bully with the ball, much like PJ Washington was for Dallas in 2024.
The freshman is built like a bodybuilder and uses his frame to bully defenders in the post both offensively and defensively. He also has some bounce to his game and runs the pick-and-roll well.
The issue with Peat is that his game lacks polish, and many feel it is in his best interest to return to school. This is a tough blow for the Lakers. Peat could’ve been a steal at 25, but if he returns to school, he could play his way into the lottery of a mediocre 2027 draft class.
Koa Peat would have been the perfect pick for the Lakers at 25
The concern with Peat is that, beyond being a solid paint scorer and rebounder, he isn’t elite enough in other areas to avoid being labeled one-dimensional. He needs to sharpen his passing and ability to be a floor spacer. Going back to Arizona for another year is the best way to accomplish that.
Longtime college basketball personality Jeff Goodman polled 10 NBA executives about 15 players teetering on the edge of staying in the draft or returning to school. In this poll, one of the names was Koa Peat.
According to Goodman, seven of the 10 executives suggested he should return to school rather than remain in the draft. With the deadline to return to school or stay in the draft being on May 27, a decision from Peat is coming, and all signs are pointing towards a sophomore year for the Wildcats.
On my personal board, I have a lottery grade on Peat because I believe he has All-Star-level potential and trust his work ethic to help him polish his game. He already has a solid mid-range game, and if he can help turn that into a semi-consistent outside shot, that’s a perfect step.
There is also a ton of great stuff from him as a short roll passer, and in an expanded role next season at Arizona, it will only bring that skill to light more. Defensively, he is solid on the perimeter and has all the tools to be an Aaron Gordon-type rim protector—he just hasn’t been consistent enough yet.
It’s rare you see a freshman put up these numbers: 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 stocks (steals + blocks) per game, shooting 35 percent from deep. That usually has lottery pick written all over. That is especially true considering Peat put up those stats at a high-profile program that was a title contender this past season.
Peat’s situation puts into perspective how loaded the 2026 class is. It makes you think how much of a steal getting him at No. 25 would’ve been for the Lakers.
With a return to school all but confirmed, the Lakers will have to pivot as they continue to search for players who fit long-term alongside Doncic.
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