Lakers map out targets as Draft prep intensifies

The Los Angeles Lakers are accelerating their preparations for the 2026 NBA Draft, conducting a series of focused workouts that reveal a broad and varied pool of potential selections. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the team recently hosted several prospects, including Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie and UConn big man Tarris Reed Jr., as they look to extract maximum value from their only pick.

Holding the twenty‑fifth selection and lacking a second‑round choice, the Lakers are evaluating guards, wings, and frontcourt players after finishing fourth in the Western Conference. The list of prospects brought in includes Skyy Clark, Oscar Cluff, Josh Dix, Roddy Gayle Jr., Nate Johnson, Trey Kaufman‑Renn, Tamin Lipsey, Okorie, Reed Jr., Kowacie Reeves Jr., and Peter Suder. With immediate rotation help a priority, Los Angeles could target a creative guard to stabilize the backcourt, a two‑way wing to strengthen perimeter depth, or an energetic big capable of protecting the rim and rebounding.