The Los Angeles Lakers should be looking to draft Jayden Quaintance with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and it got a bit more likely after the Bulls jumped up to fourth in the lottery. Chicago was likely looking at a big man, but they cannot pass on getting one of the elite top four in this class. It could cause a frontcourt player to slip, and the Lakers should be all-in on Quaintance.
The 18-year-old was limited to just four games this season as he recovered from a torn ACL. It wasn’t ideal that he returned in late December and then went out again after experiencing swelling in the same knee. Quaintance will have to prove he is healthy, but the injury could knock him down draft boards.
The 6’9 big man is a lottery-quality prospect. The Thunder are proving the Lakers don’t have enough talent. LA is light on draft picks, so they have to gamble here. Quaintance is the perfect upside swing that would be the ideal fit for the purple and gold.
Lakers should be targeting Jayden Quaintance in the 2026 NBA Draft
Quaintance graduated from high school at 16 years old. He spent his freshman year at Arizona State, where he averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.6 blocks in 29.5 minutes per game as one of the youngest players in college basketball. He suffered a torn ACL in February 2025 and decided to transfer to Kentucky for his sophomore year.
The Lakers need a rim protector. When healthy, the 18-year-old has looked like a potential defensive anchor that The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie compared to Robert Williams III (subscription required). Getting a big man capable of switching onto the perimeter and controlling the paint is a must. Los Angeles fans have long wanted Rob Will, and this is their shot to get the younger version on a bargain contract for the next four years.
The Lakers couldn’t move up in the lottery, but seeing the Bulls get into the top four has to give LA a bit more comfort in landing an impactful big man. Both of those teams are searching for a defensive anchor. The purple and gold want their long-term pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic. Fans know number 77 makes any big man look good, and Quainance’s defense will cover for the superstar’s weakness on the perimeter.
This is the perfect match, but the Lakers will need the 6’9 big man’s help. If he dominates during the pre-draft process, Quaintance will skyrocket up draft boards. The best thing that can happen for LA is him wanting to play with Luka on the Lakers. Los Angeles would love to have him, and the lottery improved the chances of him wearing purple and gold next season.
The Los Angeles Lakers should be all-in on drafting Jayden Quaintance if he’s healthy. Getting an elite defensive anchor is the top priority. It would be a lot cheaper to find it in the draft. Quaintance has the potential and is the Lakers' chance to get a premium prospect at a discount. That is all fans can ask for.
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