The Los Angeles Lakers are in an uphill battle that only Luka Doncic seems capable of saving them from. Los Angeles trails the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-0 in their second-round series and seems simply outmanned in several key areas of the game,
The good news is that the Lakers can close the gap with the Thunder in the Western Conference hierarchy. The not-so-fun news is that it may not happen until the NBA Draft.
Oklahoma City has built a juggernaut by prioritizing depth and two-way proficiency in an all but unrivaled manner. The star trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams are complemented by a rotation that features elite depth that includes veterans and up-and-comers alike.
The primary method that Sam Presti and the Thunder have employed for building a world-beating roster is valuing the NBA Draft as an essential resource.
Five of the Thunder's top 10 players in minutes per game during the 2026 NBA Playoffs were drafted by the franchise. That doesn't include Luguentz Dort, whom Oklahoma City signed as an undrafted free agent, or Isaiah Joe, who joined the team at 23 years of age after playing just 11.1 minutes per game the previous season.
While the Thunder are benefiting immensely from investing in young talent, however, the Lakers are hoping aging veterans and minimum-level players can save their season.
Lakers must learn from Thunder to value the NBA Draft
Bronny James at 5.6 is the only drafted player on Los Angeles' roster who's currently playing at least 5.0 minutes per game. Austin Reaves was signed as an undrafted free agent, and thus acts as a counter to said point, but there's no other drafted or undrafted signee between the Lakers' No. 2 scorer and James.
Furthermore, three of the Lakers' five leading players in minutes per game this postseason are either over 30 or will turn 30 this coming offseason.
There's nothing inherently wrong with having players who are over 30, but sustainability is an unavoidable question. That's even more difficult to overlook when one considers that each of the Lakers' seven leading players in minutes per game at the moment will be eligible for unrestricted free agency this coming summer.
Doncic clearly would've been at the top of that list had he been healthy, but the point stands that the Lakers have built a roster with virtually no guarantee of any degree of sustainability or growth.
Thankfully, the 2026 NBA Draft will present the Lakers with a chance to add a developable talent who can bolster the rotation and grow within JJ Redick's system. Said player would also be signed to a rookie-scale contract that permits Los Angeles to benefit from their abilities while paying a team-friendly rate.
One draft pick may not be enough to fully close the gap between the Lakers and Thunder, but making the most of draft-night opportunities will be essential to Los Angeles contending again.
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