The Los Angeles Lakers have missed on three straight draft picks, and it is hurting their depth as the franchise looks to build a serious title contender around Luka Doncic. Rob Pelinka took Jalen Hood-Schifino, who is no longer in the NBA, over Jamie Jaquez Jr. in 2023. It was Dalton Knecht over Tristan da Silva and Ajay Mitchell in 2024, and Adou Thiero ahead of Will Richard in 2025. The Lakers are getting virtually zero production from those three picks as the other wings thrive on contenders.
Pelinka has struggled in the draft since being elevated to lead decision-maker in 2019. He has mostly traded the picks, but the selections he has taken haven’t worked. Hood-Schifino was the 17th pick and flamed out of the NBA after two seasons. Knecht isn’t far behind after struggling mightily in year two. It is too soon to write Thiero off, but the injuries are already causing some regret.
The NBA Draft is more important than ever in the second apron era. Teams need those cost-controlled contracts to keep their spending down, which makes Pelinka’s struggles even worse. Sam Presti keeps uncovering talent with late picks. The Lakers repeatedly getting it wrong, and it is killing their depth.
Rob Pelinka drafted the wrong wing 3 years in a row
Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office have been awful at identifying incoming talent. Knecht is playing the most minutes of any LA draft pick. He averages 13.2 per game and has been in and out of the rotation. Not great for a 24-year-old second-year player with massive defensive questions.
Pelinka has been the general manager for seven drafts, and his only selection that has hit is Max Christie. The Lakers traded him to Dallas in the Luka Doncic deal, but the 22-year-old is quickly becoming the ideal 3-and-D wing. It proves Pelinka can do it. Sadly, the last three years ruined his track record.
Pelinka did sign Austin Reaves as an undrafted free agent and has watched him blossom into a star. His cheap cap hold could help the Lakers add talent in the 2026 offseason, but the Lakers need more contracts like that to compete with the best teams in the West.
Pelinka has to shift his thinking moving forward. He can’t trade every draft pick. The Lakers need young talent to help them contend. Will Richard is immediately helping the Warriors as a late second-round pick. Cam Spencer and Quentin Post are doing the same from the 2024 draft. The talent is there. LA must start finding it.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a new owner, and this could be Mark Walter’s biggest contribution. They need a new scouting staff and to take full advantage of the draft. It hasn’t happened since Rob Pelinka took over, and nailing one or two picks would be massive as the Lakers search for role players and depth around their stars. Fixing this should be the top priority for Walter if he wants the Lakers to become a juggernaut like the Dodgers. Stay tuned to see if he can make it happen.