Who Should the Lakers Target in the 2026 NBA Draft?
With the 2026 NBA Draft just days away, the Los Angeles Lakers face immense stakes. Having transitioned the franchise into the Luka Dončić era together with Deandre Ayton, the front office is no longer seeking star talent or high-usage players. Instead, they are focusing on drafting for functional roles. Under the strict financial guidelines of the current collective bargaining agreement, it is crucial to secure a low-cost, late-first-round rookie contract. When the Lakers participate in the draft, especially with a late-20s pick, they should target three specific types of prospects to best support their star players. If current projections are accurate, Kentucky's Jayden Quaintance is a top target for the Lakers around pick 25. Since Ayton plays many minutes as the starting center, the Lakers urgently need a strong, high-energy backup to reduce defensive lapses when he takes a break.
If head coach JJ Redick aims to create a fundamentally different offensive setup, UNC's Henri Veesaar serves as the perfect mechanical cheat code. At six-foot-11, Veesaar is a smooth, modern big man who excelled, shooting 42.6% from three last season. While Ayton commands the paint, the 22-year-old enables the Lakers to deploy a pure five-out offense at times. By drawing the opposing rim protector out of the paint to cover the Estonia native’s perimeter shot, the floor becomes vastly more open.
Quaintance doesn't require many posts to make an impact. The 18-year-old excels through simple, high-intensity actions like setting tough screens, intercepting lobs in pick-and-roll plays, and serving as a weak-side shot-blocker. His exceptional vertical athleticism, combined with Luka's, creates a formidable second-unit threat for LA, as he aggressively pursues offensive rebounds and effectively finishes plays. Surrounding Dončić with perimeter gravity is always beneficial. Baylor's Cameron Carr exemplifies the perfect combination of length and shooting ability that the Lakers' secondary unit needs.
Carr is a high-risk, high-reward shooter who is most effective when moving along the perimeter as a primary playmaker breaks down the defense. The 21-year-old doesn't depend on complex dribble hand-offs or isolation plays to be productive. On defense, his film indicates genuine potential at the point of attack. To conserve Dončić’s energy for crucial late-game offensive efforts, LA needs to acquire young, motivated wings who can fight through screens and guard multiple backcourt positions. Championships often hinge on the smallest salary cap details. The Lakers don't need to chase a star name; they need an affordable, top-tier specialist who fully grasps their unique role. Picking the right player in this draft is what transforms a star duo into a deep, synergistic championship team.
