Joshua Jefferson is by no means the Luka Doncic style big man that the Los Angeles Lakers ultimately need to add. He's not an elite shot-blocker, nor a high-flying lob target, but is instead a forward who utilizes his skill far more than his athleticism in regard to how he operates on either end of the floor.
What the Lakers can accomplish by drafting Jefferson at No. 25 overall, however, is introducing a playmaking big who can create a new layer of unpredictability on offense.
Jefferson, 22, is the No. 21 ranked player on FanSided.com's recent Big Board. That's consistent with the range he typically falls in, which means that there's reason to believe that he could still be available at No. 25 overall.
If that proves to be the case, then the Iowa State Cyclones star would offer ample reason for intrigue as a versatile playmaking power forward who can space the floor and create his own offense.
Jefferson finished the 2025-26 season with averages of 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 offensive boards, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.1 three-point field goals made per game. In the process, he put the finishing touches on a four-year collegiate career during which he steadily evolved into a top-tier all-around player. The question, of course, is whether his game can translate.
Jefferson may be a tweener who would struggle to fit a previous era, but his game projects to translate well to how modern power forwards are asked to play.
Joshua Jefferson is a versatile forward who can take pressure off Luka
Jefferson measured at 6'7.75" without shoes and 246 pounds with a 6'10.75" wingspan at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. Though he posted a 33.0" max vertical leap, there's a surplus of film that proves he can play above the rim.
The same goes for his general athleticism, as he ranked poorly in all of the agility drills, but moves well on film with the ball in his hands—as well as on defense.
That translated well to his averages of 3.2 stocks—steals and blocks—and 3.0 personal fouls per 40 minutes. By comparison, NBA Draft darling Allen Graves averaged 5.1 stocks to 5.5 personal fouls per 40 minutes. That isn't an attempt to downplay Graves, but it speaks to how Jefferson has the discipline and understanding of his athletic limitations to make defensive plays without fouling.
That makes his remarkably balanced offensive skill set all the more enticing.
Joshua Jefferson offers a bit of everything on both ends of the floor
Jefferson has a lot of Pascal Siakam in his game from a scoring perspective. He's an excellent straight-line finisher who isn't afraid of contact. Much like Siakam, he also overcomes not being the greatest rebounder by following his own misses and playing with a valuable assertiveness in key spots.
Jefferson also increased his three-point field goals made and percentage during each of his final two seasons at the collegiate level.
The primary reason Jefferson should appeal to the Lakers, however, is his passing. He's a tremendous playmaker who can run the pick-and-roll as the passer, operate from the high post or the top of the key, and even drive and dish. That would undoubtedly take pressure off of Doncic and Austin Reaves.
There are a surplus of options for the Lakers to consider at No. 25 overall, but if Jefferson is still on the board, he should at least be on the radar.
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