When looking at Luka Doncic's eight-year NBA career, it's undeniable that his best season was in 2023-24. That season, Doncic averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game, along with leading the Dallas Mavericks to a finals appearance, all at the age of 24.
A major reason for Doncic and the Mavericks' success that season was who the Mavs paired him with. Two high-level rim runners, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, thrived alongside Luka. They could set hard screens and create windows for Luka Magic to show off his magical passing instincts.
But could you imagine the success Doncic would have if he had a big man who could not only run the pick-and-roll but also fade out to the perimeter and be effective in the pick-and-pop too? That sounds like nightmare fuel for opposing defenses and it could quickly become a reality for the Lakers at the 2026 NBA Draft.
Los Angeles projects to pick 21st at this summer's upcoming draft. In that range, there are plenty of high-quality center prospects. None would be more dangerous than North Carolina's Henri Veesaar. The Tar Heels center is in his senior season, averaging 16.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Henri Veesaar could unlock a new level of Luka Doncic's offense
Listed at 7-foot Veesaar is an absolute giant, and he uses this size to set screens on opposing defenders, creating an advantage for himself and his teammates. In these situations, Veesaar is more than capable of rolling and finishing at the rim, hence his 61.1 percent field goal percentage.
What makes him fun is the ability to pop out and hit a 3-pointer. This season, he is shooting 41.3 percent from deep on 2.9 attempts per game, with most of these coming off ball screens.
For a player like Doncic, who already cooks opposing defenders in screen-and-roll actions, having a center alongside him who can also punish opponents from the perimeter would take his playmaking numbers to an even higher level than what he's averaging this season.
If LA were to draft Veesaar, they wouldn't just be giving Doncic something he's never had before, but they would also be getting a player who could help address a few of the team's biggest issues.
This season, the Lakers are a bottom-nine defense and allow the 11th-most points in the paint, two things the UNC big man would address. Due to his giant-like size and three years of college experience, Veesaar has developed into a polished rim protector. While there are concerns about his frame, his 7-foot-2 wingspan makes it easy for him to recover when he gets overpowered.
His size also makes him a solid rebounder, with great inside positioning and overall rebounding instincts that will translate to the next level. This would be beneficial for LA as they average the sixth-fewest rebounds per game this season.
Another fun thing with Veesaar that separates him from other bigs in this class is that he's developed into a really nice passer. His average of 2.0 assists per game may not jump off the page, but he is growing into a smart playmaker in short-roll situations. That can allow him to operate as a hub offensively.
In general, Veesaar is one of, if not the most, well-rounded offensive center in the 2026 NBA Draft. Pairing him with Doncic would form an unstoppable duo for years in purple and gold.