Ever since the Lakers traded away Anthony Davis to acquire Luka Dončić, they’ve been searching for a big man they can rely on.
They went with Jaxson Hayes as a starter for the rest of the 2024-25 season after their trade for Mark Williams didn’t pan out. Then, last offseason, they brought in Deandre Ayton to be the starting center. While Ayton was a positive for the team, it’s clear that frontcourt depth is still a need the Lakers must address this summer.
Perhaps they can find the center they desire
in the NBA Draft.
The Lakers have the No. 25 pick and can use it to take a young big man. Details on who the Lakers have done pre-draft workouts with are scarce, but one player that has reportedly worked out for the purple and gold is Duke Brennan of Villanova.
At Villanova, he started in all 32 games he played in and averaged 12.4 points on 65% shooting. Brennan was also a monster on the boards, averaging 10.3 rebounds per game. He is the first Villanova player to average at least 10 rebounds per game since Harold Pressley did it in the 1985-86 season.
Brennan is currently projected to be a second round draft pick, so one might wonder why the Lakers are looking at him. Well, for starters, it’s all about the franchise doing its due diligence and looking at as many options as possible.
It’s why the Lakers brought on former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft advisor. They need to explore every option available to bolster their roster. And finding hidden gems in the draft is a great way of accomplishing that.
Also, things can change between now and the draft. It’s possible the Lakers can either trade for a second round draft pick and select a player like Brennan or bring in players like him that go undrafted.
That’s how Austin Reaves became a Laker, joining the franchise after not being selected in the 2021 NBA Draft.
As we get closer to the draft, expect a myriad of bigs, guards and wings to work out for the Lakers. The franchise could use a little of everything as they attempt to become one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
