The Los Angeles Lakers will have the No. 25 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. With it, the team will hope to reverse its past misfortune by bolstering the rotation with a player who can provide dependable value over the span of a team-friendly rookie scale contract.
The question is: Which players can the Lakers realistically expect to be available at No. 25 overall? And who among them would be the most ideal selection?
Los Angeles will enter the draft in need of several improvements, but most have their eye on 3-and-D wings and interior anchors. Thankfully for the Lakers, there should be no shortage of players who fit either archetype at No. 25 overall.
There are also players who land outside of the typical definition of what Los Angeles needs, but have the skill level or upside to prioritize in draft conversations.
Anything can happen on draft night, including projected top-10 picks sliding to No. 25 overall. For the sake of avoiding an over-reliance on optimism, however, the focus of this big board will be players who are projected to be available in Los Angeles' range.
That all starts with a big man who epitomizes the term, "polarizing," but fits the Luka Doncic preference of a rim-running big.
Jayden Quaintance is, without hyperbole, the single most polarizing prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft. He played a grand total of four games in 2025-26, missed another eight in 2024-25, and has thus become the ultimate high-risk, high-reward prospect.
There are clear signs of Quaintance having the tools to be an elite defensive anchor and a nightmare to stop in the pick and roll, but there's also exceptional risk given his injury history.
That makes Quaintaince both a necessary inclusion on this big board and a player with whom Los Angeles must proceed with caution. They can justify selecting him by pointing to his athleticism and the way he's played when healthy, but must also be aware of how scarce his examples of success are.
In saying that, it would be a fool's errand to completely disregard him as a prospect given the remarkable physical tools and abilities he possesses.
Quaintaince measured at 6'9" without shoes and 253 pounds with a colossal 7'5.25" wingspan at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. He also averaged 4.1 offensive rebounds, 3.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals per 40 minutes between his 28 games at the collegiate level.
There's too much risk to rank Quaintaince any higher than this, but he's a captivating talent who should at least be evaluated as a potential fit.
At the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, Henri Veesaar measured at 6'11.25" without shoes and 227 pounds with a 7'2" wingspan and a 9'3" standing reach. Those are ideal measurements for an NBA center, as the junior big man has the size and length to hold his own against most bigs and slashing scorers.
What makes Veesaar so intriguing for the Lakers, however, isn't his size—it's the skill set he provides at what's likely to be 7'0" in shoes.
Veesaar has developed into a lights-out three-point shooter and well-rounded offensive player. He shot 42.6 percent from beyond the arc on 94 attempts in 2025-26, thriving alongside projected lottery pick Caleb Wilson and even proving he could hold his own without him.
More important to his NBA potential, however, is the fact that Veesaar is a pick-and-pop threat, a competent rebounder, and an excellent passer who can diversify a team's offense.
Veesaar can score at all three levels, showing an ability to even put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. He's also a gifted passer who balances finding open shooters with hitting cutting finishers and even working a rather fascinating pick-and-roll game as the ball handler with athletic bigs.
Veesaar lacks the physicality and strength the Lakers would ideally find at the center position, but if he's the best player available, there's a way to turn him into a valuable rotational piece.
Zuby Ejiofor is a rather polarizing prospect as a player who may be too short to play center, but not quite athletic enough to operate as a 4. He has some P.J. Washington in him, however, and that makes him at least worth considering at No. 25 overall.
Incredibly athletic for a 5 and gifted in both skill and other physical attributes than height, Ejiofor could be an ideal fit in a Luka Doncic offense.
Ejiofor measured at 6'7.5" without shoes at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, which caused immediate skepticism. He boasts a 7'2" wingspan and a 38.0" vertical, however, and ranked in the top six among centers in every speed and agility drill.
That was all reflected on film, as Ejiofor had no trouble playing above the rim, running the court, or closing out on scorers during his illustrious collegiate career.
Furthermore, the 2026 Big East Player of the Year is a tenacious offensive rebounder, skilled passer, explosive shot-blocker, and tough finisher around the basket. Each of those abilities seem to make him an ideal fit alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves.
If Ejiofor can either solidify his transition to the 4 or prove he can play the 5, then the Lakers should feel confident in adding him to the rotation.
Amari Allen is on the list of the more polarizing prospects in this class as a player who doesn't necessarily look NBA ready. What he has to offer, however, is a well-rounded skill set that can be molded to fit the Lakers' system and needs.
A two-way player who can operate both with and without the ball, Allen could be plugged in as an ideal complement to Doncic and Reaves.
Allen stands at 6'5.25" without shoes and has a respectable 6'8" wingspan. Though his measurements don't quite align with what many thought would make him an ideal small forward, he's one of the most explosive athletes in his class.
Allen recorded an absurd 42.5" max vertical leap at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine and posted strong marks in the drills that measure quickness and agility.
Beyond the physical attributes, Allen is a playmaking wing who can create for his teammates and provide off-ball value as a shooter. He buried 34.1 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc as a true freshman and seems to have the form to improve with time and repetition.
Compounded by his clear defensive potential and instincts, Allen is a player worth considering. One simply can't help but question his true position and how ready he is to play.
Iowa State Cyclones star Joshua Jefferson is a prospect who only fits the Lakers' draft profile if they're willing to adapt their system. He's more than capable of providing off-ball value, but his greatest strength is his ability to create for his teammates.
If the goal is to simplify the game for Doncic and create a broader range of playmaking options, then selecting Jefferson at No. 25 would be wise.
Jefferson is the epitome of an all-around player as a 4 who can shoot, pass, dribble, defend, and rebound. He can put the ball on the floor to get to his spots, work without it to find openings in a defense, and simplify the game for his teammates with his excellent court vision.
If the goal is to continue utilizing Doncic and Reaves in demanding offensive roles, however, then there simply isn't an ideal place to find for him in the rotation. Nevertheless, he should be evaluated.
Jefferson tested poorly from an athletic perspective at the Combine, but the film shows how much more capable he is than the testing process suggested. He has impressive burst as a transition playmaker and scorer, as well as the proven ability to play above the rim.
Jefferson may not be the lob target that Doncic covets at the 5, but he's a complete prospect from a skill set perspective at the 4. That's at least worth considering.
Tarris Reed Jr. may very well be the prospect who gauges how much scouts care about a player's age in the NIL era. Reed will turn 23 in August and is thus viewed as a player with limited upside. Whether fair or foul, that's the bizarre nature of the NBA Draft.
What makes Reed a necessary inclusion on this list, however, is that he has all of the tools to be a starting-caliber center in the NBA.
Reed measured at 6'9.75" without shoes and 263 pounds with a massive 7'4.25" wingspan and a 9'2" standing reach. In addition to having the physical measurements to thrive along the interior, he's a skilled finisher who can play with his back to the basket and unleash a flurry of moves to get his shot off.
Reed has also proven to not fear contact, as he welcomes those who try to get in his way as he throws his weight around and finishes with precision along the interior.
Reed also excels at running the floor and finishing with power, which could help the Lakers solidify their transition offense. The hurdle with this pick is that he's not necessarily a lob target, but instead more of a traditional pick-and-roll big who can take passes and finish below or slightly above the rim.
Compounded by his shot-blocking proficiency and rebounding prowess, Reed is a traditional big who can anchor the interior if the Lakers make space for his skill set.
Dailyn Swain is a player I've gone back and forth on, as he has clear NBA potential and a questionable fit with the Lakers. In many respects, he's comparable to Dalton Knecht in that he's a shot-creator rather than a pure shooter who may thus not fit perfectly alongside Doncic and Reaves.
What makes Swain intriguing for the Lakers to consider, however, is his value as a help defender and the manner in which he can punish closeouts as a straight-line finisher with a dose of creativity.
Swain isn't the most athletic player in this class, but he's in control of his body on the drive and has a nice collection of secondary and tertiary moves to get his shots off. He's also 6'6.5" without shoes, which should enable him to meet the standard for wings in terms of size.
Throw in a 6'10" wingspan and a strong frame, and Swain has the potential to be a productive sixth man or perhaps even a quality starter at the 3-spot.
Defensively, Swain offers value as a help-side defender with his length and timing as a shot-blocker and general defensive playmaker. He finds himself out of position a bit too often and can lose battles against quicker players, but there's at least something to work with here.
Swain has his flaws, but if the Lakers believe in his two-way potential, then this would be a pick that could be easy to come around on.
Isaiah Evans has a thin frame that could deter teams from drafting him due to concerns over his ability to defend NBA scorers. He also stands at 6'5.5" without shoes and has a solid 6'8.75" wingspan, however, and ranks among the best shooters in this class.
For a Lakers team in dire need of shooters on team-friendly contracts, Evans could be a tremendous value pick at No. 25 overall—assuming they believe they can find the ideal defensive role for him.
Evans shot 41.6 percent on 4.1 three-point field goal attempts per game as a freshman and 36.1 percent on 7.4 attempts per contest as a sophomore. He has all but limitless range, as well as clear proficiency in off-ball situations.
In an offense that's built around two ball-dominant playmakers in Doncic and Reaves, Evans could thus be one of the most valuable additions imaginable from this class.
With his shooting along the wings, the Lakers could realistically make lasting improvements to a team that ranked No. 23 in three-point field goals made in 2025-26. They could also diversify the offense without having to invest in a veteran who could command an annual salary in the eight-figure range.
Evans alone won't fix the issue of three-point shooting, of course, but if Redick believes in his ability to bulk up and defend at a high level, then the Duke star could be a critical addition.
Koa Peat has been projected as everything from a near lottery pick to a late first-rounder in popular mock drafts. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has him at No. 16, but Jeremy Woo of ESPN, Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, and Christopher Kline of FanSided all have him at No. 24 or lower.
With common projections of Peat being available in the range of No. 25, it'd thus be irresponsible to not at least consider his value to the Lakers. If available, he could be the ultimate ambitious pick.
Peat measured at 6'7" without shoes and 245 pounds with a 6'11.25" wingspan. He also boasts a 37'.5" max vertical leap and ranked in the top 10 among power forwards in the three-quarter sprint, which measures end-to-end speed, and lane agility drill, which accounts for lateral quickness, body control, and the ability to change directions in a fluid motion.
Beyond the physical attributes, Peat is a big-game player who raised his game during the NCAA Tournament and has the raw tools to become one of the most complete players in his class.
Offensively, Peat is a rim-rising big who can thrive as a lob target in pick-and-roll sets with Doncic. He's also surprisingly controlled when driving as a first-year big, with the skill level and physicality to potentially excel at all three levels as a scorer. He's still limited in his range, but there have been flashes of brilliance.
Compounded by his remarkable versatility as a defender, Peat could be an absolute steal at No. 25. With an unrefined approach to the game and a skill set in need of similar polish, however, there's unavoidable risk in this pick.
Morez Johnson Jr. is typically projected to be selected in the 17-to-25 range of the 2026 NBA Draft. He may ultimately come off the board earlier than No. 25, but the Lakers must dream nevertheless of landing the perfect player for Doncic and the rotation.
Johnson is a strong, physical, and athletic interior presence who offers above-the-rim value on both ends of the floor and has even flashed the ability to shoot the 3.
Johnson measured at 6'9" without shoes, which could be perceived as undersized for a center. That should only strengthen the Lakers' hopes of landing him, however, particularly with a powerful 250-pound frame and a 7'3.5" wingspan.
If teams fear that Johnson is more of a 4 trapped in a 5's body, then the Lakers could potentially steal him at No. 25—or trade up within a reasonable range to get him.
Beyond the measurables, Johnson is a rim protector, post defender, and rebounder who provides clear two-way value. He even has an absurd 39.0" vertical at 6'9", which supports the film that displays his ability to play above the rim. He also shot 34.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Though perhaps undersized for a center, Johnson could be the perfect fit as a pick-and-roll lob target, floor-spacer, and all-around defender in the Lakers' Doncic-centric system.
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