The Los Angeles Lakers may not have found a center, but they turned the 2026 NBA Draft into a golden opportunity to build out their perimeter. They drafted a player with elite 3-and-D potential in Cameron Carr in the first round and made two key signings in undrafted free agency.
The second signing saw Los Angeles add sharpshooter Peter Suder—and sent a clear message to Bronny James that he needs to make major improvements to play meaningful minutes in 2026-27.
James turned in a solid second NBA season, improving his jump shot and providing energy on defense. He shot 38.6 percent from beyond the arc and appeared in 42 games after playing just 27 as a rookie. In many respects, it was a step forward.
The Lakers' long list of injuries factored into James' playing time, however, with a healthy rotation still not necessarily having space for him to occupy.
Based on how the Lakers approached the NBA Draft, it's clear what he needs to do: Improve his jump shot. Both Carr and Suder are excellent three-point shooters, as is Los Angeles' other undrafted free agent signee: AK Okereke.
What Suder in specific should show James, however, is that his minutes won't increase unless he can step in with a distinguishable skill and make a steady impact.
Peter Suder is a true sharpshooter and a threat to Bronny James
Suder won the 2025-26 MAC Player of the Year award after leading the Miami of Ohio Redhawks to a 32-2 record. On a per-game basis, he led the team in scoring, finished second in assists, was third in rebounding, and was even fourth in steals.
Suder even made his presence felt as an offensive rebounder who could corner crash and keep rival teams on their heels when the Redhawks were on offense.
Statistically, that all translated to Suder averaging 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 offensive boards, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 three-point field goals made on .546/.421/.734 shooting. He did so while cutting his turnovers by 0.5 per game and closing out wins down the stretch.
If Suder can translate his elite shooting efficiency to a higher volume role in the NBA, then he could find a place in the Lakers' rotation—and would likely step ahead of James in the process.
Suder offers a combination of on and off-ball value that the Lakers need from a third guard as a playmaker and catch-and-shoot specialist. Standing at 6'4" and 213 pounds with a 6'8" wingspan, he could potentially play alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in brief spurts or help round the second unit into form.
Suder is by no means guaranteed to make the roster, but he's a crafty scorer, a lights-out shooter, and the perfect player to push James to his limit.
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