WITH just the one selection at the 2025 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to find a diamond in the rough and add a solid young piece for the future.

The Lakers are well and truly in the championship window, having pulled off one of the biggest trades in NBA history to acquire Luka Doncic to pair with LeBron James in a massive pairing that has also set the team up for the future.

Unfortunately, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in a disappointing finish to a promising campaign, in what was an upset given Los Angeles was the third seed in the matchup.

With James more than likely to retire in the next 12 months, the Lakers will need to retool their roster and build around Doncic, and if they can find a gem late in the draft, it will give the team a big boost.

Los Angeles Lakers

Draft Selections

55

Contracted Players

LeBron James (player option), Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith (player option), Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Shake Milton, Bronny James, Jordan Goodwin (team option)

The Lakers are always one of the biggest contenders in the Western Conference, and in order to build such a strong roster, they have traded away a lot of their draft capital for the coming years, which means they will not be massive players at the 2025 NBA Draft.

However, players such as Nikola Jokic have shown that there is the opportunity to find a star late in the second round of the draft, and the Lakers will be eager to do so with their limited hand in Chicago later this month.

Building around Doncic is the main priority as it stands, so adding wings could certainly be of value for the Lakers as they look to life beyond James. One option that could be a smart move is RJ Luis Jr., who could be the right fit for the coming years.

A mature aged recruit at 22 years of age, he could be able to impact sooner rather than later for Los Angeles. An elite perimeter defender, Luis Jr. can cause turnovers and has the versatility to switch and guard multiple positions.

If the Lakers look to add to their frontcourt stocks, Aussie Rocco Zikarsky could be the move if still on the board. Having added plenty of size since his last NBL game with the Brisbane Bullets, the big man has shot up the draft rankings thanks to an impressive combine performance as well.

At seven-foot-four, he is a constant lob threat, and can often outreach his opponent when the ball is in the air, while his physical gifts are often a weapon on the defensive end as well, allowing him to protect the paint consistently.

Although he is undoubtedly a raw prospect, and may need to develop at G League level or be stashed overseas, Zikarsky could develop into a dominant center at NBA level and may just be a steal if still on the board.