As 2026 NBA mock drafts begin to trickle in, the Los Angeles Lakers continue to be linked to the best available centers. It's a logical development, as the 5-spot is a position of uncertainty for Los Angeles and there isn't a developable talent in the pipeline.
Though the Lakers would be wise to invest in the center position if the stars align, they can't afford to reach if there's a better option at a different position at the 2026 NBA Draft.
For as dire as Los Angeles' need for a center may be, it's far from the only flaw within the current rotation. The Lakers are equally as barren along the wings, with a glaring absence of 3-and-D players who can help space the floor without compromising the team's defensive integrity—or vice versa.
Thankfully, the 2026 NBA Draft is flush with intriguing wing players who could realistically fall to Los Angeles at No. 25 overall.
It's also worth noting that the 2026 NBA Draft has its share of power forwards and even point guards who could be of interest to Los Angeles. Though the latter position is less of a glaring void, there's a clear need for a playmaker to guide a woeful second unit.
Regardless of which direction the Lakers ultimately opt to go in, they simply can't afford to reach for a talent at one specific position if a higher-value pick is available to them.
Lakers can't reach for a center if better options exist at 2026 NBA Draft
Los Angeles has deprived itself of first-round talent for the better part of the Rob Pelinka era. Since he joined the organization in 2017, only three first-round picks have lasted at least two full seasons with the Lakers—and two, Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma, were selected in 2017.
Pelinka attempted to trade the other, Dalton Knecht, at the 2025 NBA trade deadline—and there's a decent chance he could reignite that effort this coming summer.
With this in mind, the Lakers desperately need to invest in talent that can not only show signs of promise, but last with the organization. Whether or not that ultimately proves to be a center, Los Angeles has a glaring need for two critical elements to be introduced to their team-building strategy.
For one, the Lakers must find young talent that can be molded into players who fit the system to avoid exclusively relying on veterans. The other essential development is finding affordable talent with upside.
Los Angeles spent the better part of the post-championship era trading first-round picks for a painfully long list of veteran point guards who were gone within two seasons themselves. It's also relied on minimum contracts and the buyout market to fill the void created by abandoning the draft.
One can be optimistic in the hope that a high-level center prospect will be an option at No. 25 overall, but the Lakers can't narrow the scope of their search if they're hoping to make meaningful improvements.
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