The Los Angeles Lakers have a draft problem. Or maybe they don’t? Honestly, it depends on who you ask at the Crypto.com Arena ticket office. For years, the narrative has been that Rob Pelinka trades every single asset for stars, leaving the cupboards bare. But if you look at the actual nba lakers draft picks from the last couple of seasons, the reality is a lot more chaotic—and frankly, more interesting—than just "trading for superstars."
We’re sitting here in 2026, and the Lakers are still trying to figure out how to balance a roster that includes a 41-year-old LeBron James and a massive, culture-shifting trade for Luka Doncic that happened last year. Yeah, you heard that right. The team sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in a blockbuster that basically reset their entire draft timeline.
Why the NBA Lakers Draft Picks Strategy is a Total Rollercoaster
Most fans think the Lakers just ignore the draft. They don’t. They’re actually weirdly good at it when they keep their picks. Look at Dalton Knecht. Back in 2024, everyone thought he was a "safe" pick at No. 17. He was supposed to be the ready-made shooter for JJ Redick’s offense. Fast forward to now, and he’s been a human pogo stick between the main roster and the South Bay Lakers.
In late 2025, Knecht was dropping 30-point games in the G League, but barely getting five minutes of burn with the big club because of the logjam at the wing. Then, boom—injuries to Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura happen, and suddenly he’s the most important guy in the rotation. It's that kind of whiplash that defines this franchise.
The Bronny Factor and the 2025 Shift
We can’t talk about Lakers picks without mentioning the No. 55 pick from 2024: Bronny James. Whether you think it was a "legacy" move or a legitimate developmental swing, the stats from his first full pro season tell a nuanced story. He spent the bulk of 2024-25 in the G League, averaging a respectable 21.9 points and over 5 assists.
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Was he ready for the NBA jump immediately? Probably not. But the Lakers used that second-round slot to secure a specific team dynamic. It wasn't about finding the next Kobe; it was about keeping the greatest player of all time happy while seeing if a 6'2" defensive-minded guard could eventually turn into a rotational piece.
Trading Up: The Adou Thiero Move
Then came the 2025 NBA Draft. The Lakers didn’t even have a first-round pick. Why? Because it was the final ghost of the Anthony Davis trade, eventually landing with the Nets (via a wild seven-team trade that involved Dejounte Murray and Kristaps Porzingis).
But Pelinka didn't just sit on his hands. He traded up to grab Adou Thiero at No. 36. Thiero is a raw, hyper-athletic forward out of Arkansas. He’s basically the antithesis of the "win-now" veteran. He’s 21, he’s bouncy, and he represents the Lakers’ attempt to actually get younger while paying Luka Doncic and LeBron nearly $100 million combined.
The Future: What the Lakers Actually Own (2026-2030)
People keep saying the Lakers have "no picks." That’s actually factually wrong. Thanks to the Stepien Rule—which prevents teams from being total idiots and trading consecutive first-rounders—the Lakers have some skin in the game over the next few years.
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- 2026: They own their own first-round pick. This is huge. With the 2026 class looking deep, this is their best chance to land a "Luka-era" sidekick.
- 2027: This one is tricky. It’s headed to Utah (part of the D'Angelo Russell/Jalen Hood-Schifino reshuffle) but it’s top-4 protected. If the Lakers bottom out, they keep it.
- 2028: They own this first-rounder.
- 2029: Gone. This was the "sweetener" in the Luka Doncic trade. It’s unprotected, which is a massive gamble if the LeBron retirement finally happens.
- 2030: They own it.
Basically, the Lakers are in a "one year on, one year off" cycle with their first-round assets.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That the Lakers can't develop talent.
Look at the guys they’ve drafted and moved: Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Kyle Kuzma, even Alex Caruso (who was an undrafted find). The scouting department, led by Jesse and Joey Buss, is actually elite. The problem isn't the nba lakers draft picks themselves; it's the timeline.
When you have a superstar window, you treat 19-year-olds like currency. When you’re rebuilding, you treat them like cornerstones. The Lakers are currently trying to do both, which is why you see guys like Knecht and Thiero getting mixed signals from the coaching staff.
The Mark Williams Acquisition
To fix their lack of size, the Lakers recently moved more draft capital to get Mark Williams. They essentially gave up Dalton Knecht and a 2031 unprotected pick to the Hornets. It was a steep price. But with the way the West is built now—with Goliaths like Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren—the Lakers decided a 7-foot rim protector was worth more than a scoring wing and a pick that won't graduate high school for another three years.
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Expert Insights: How to Value These Picks
If you're a fan or a bettor looking at the Lakers' trajectory, you have to stop looking at the names and start looking at the "trade-ability."
- The 2026 Pick is the "Golden Ticket": Because they can't trade 2025 or 2027 (easily), the 2026 pick is the only major asset they have for a mid-season upgrade this year.
- Second-Round Steals: The Lakers consistently buy their way back into the second round. Don't ignore these. They view the 35-45 range as "cost-controlled depth."
- The Luka Tax: Every pick through 2030 is now viewed through the lens of "Does this player help Luka Doncic?" If the answer is no, that player will be on a different team by the trade deadline.
Actionable Next Steps for Lakers Fans
Stop waiting for a "rebuild." It’s not happening as long as the purple and gold can find a way to swap a future pick for a current All-Star. If you want to track the actual health of the franchise, watch the South Bay Lakers. That’s where the real developmental work is happening.
Keep an eye on the 2026 draft lottery standings. Even if the Lakers make the playoffs, that pick is their primary bridge to a post-LeBron world. If they trade it for another aging vet, the 2030s are going to be a very long decade in Los Angeles.
Check the trade exceptions and the second-apron tax rules. Because the Lakers are so far over the cap (-$60 million recently), they can't aggregate salaries in trades. This makes their draft picks more valuable, not less, because rookie contracts are one of the few ways they can actually add talent without breaking the bank.