The Lakers will get one of their first chances to build around Luka Dončić at the 2025 NBA Draft, though there is little consensus as to who they may target with their pick.
The Lakers’ first chance to begin to show what the Luka Dončić era will look like will come in late June at the 2025 NBA Draft.
While they showed their hand to a degree at the trade deadline with the rescinded deal for Mark Williams, the offseason offers a host of other avenues to build a roster, beginning with the draft.
This season, the Lakers have one draft pick, that being their own late in the second round at No. 55. Last season, they took Bronny James at the same spot and not one person disagreed with that pick.
Ultimately, it’s hard to find value that late in the draft. The Lakers have made a habit of turning players selected in the second round or even undrafted into legitimate players, but that doesn’t make it any more difficult a proposition.
There also remains the possibility that the team moves up in the draft. While it’s very unlikely they acquire a first round pick, they have shown a willingness to spend money on a pick. Perhaps packaging their own pick with money allows them to move up near the top of the second round.
For now, let’s take a look at who some of the latest post-draft combine mock drafts are projecting to go to the Lakers.
DraftExpress — Vladislav Goldin, big, Michigan
While Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo don’t provide rationale behind their second round predictions, it’s pretty clear why they would mock a big man to LA.
There is no bigger hole on the Lakers roster than at the center position. Naturally, it would make sense, then, to select a one with their pick.
Goldin spent five years in college and averaged 16.6 points and seven rebounds per game last season. Listed at 7’1”, 250 pounds, he’s a very traditional center who doesn’t offer any spacing with an offensive game built around the post.
Bleacher Report — Eric Nixon, big, Villanova
Again, the Lakers are mocked to take a big man, though Nixon is a polar opposite of Goldin. Last season, he averaged 23.3 points per game while shooting 40.7% on seven 3-point attempts per game.
Listed at 6’8”, he’s an undersized big man who would make his living in the NBA on his ability to stretch the floor.
Here’s what Jonathan Wasserman said about the selection:
There are a lot of questions about Eric Dixon’s fit at the next level, such as who does he defend and will he create separation offensively. But late in the second round, teams will at least talk about the nation’s leading scorer who just hit 94 threes at 6’8”, 265 pounds.
He may have become a sharp enough shotmaker for teams to see some type of stretch-4 and pick-and-pop role.
Yahoo Sports — RJ Luis, wing, St. John’s
At his exit interview, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka noted that the team wanted to find defensive wings. Those are hard to find in free agency, especially with the limited spending ability the Lakers will have.
Perhaps, then, he turns to the draft for that type of player. RJ Luis is a wing who averaged 18.2 points per game on 43.6% shooting overall and 33.6% shooting from range.
Here’s Kevin O’Connor on the selection:
As the Lakers build out their roster around Luka Dončić, they’re going to need rugged wings like Luis who can set a tone on defense with his versatility and intensity. At this point of the draft, every player has their flaws though. Luis got benched in St. John’s final game because his shaky shooting and decision-making on offense became such an issue. If he can improve those concerns though, his downhill attacking style could become an asset.
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