Regardless of the methods, the Los Angeles Lakers have found a way to put themselves in a competitive position for the next decade plus, assuming Luka Doncic stays around and general manager Rob Pelinka can continue to attract star talent in free agency.
While the future looks bright for the immediate future, considering Doncic’s MVP-level start to the season, it doesn’t mean he can single-handedly carry the Lakers to their 18th NBA title in franchise history.
That is where the draft will come in, and while Pelinka has a shaky history in that department, the upcoming 2026 class has loads of talent. Most recently, the Lakers were predicted to select JT Toppin with the 25th pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. The superstar from Texas Tech has only played one game so far this collegiate season, but dropped 31 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists in his lone appearance against Sam Houston State.
“There were scouts with a first-round grade on JT Toppin last May thanks to above-average activity around the basket and a soft touch in the key,” Jonathan Wasserman wrote for Bleacher Report. “Even if it’s difficult to envision pathways to upside for a 6’9” post player, there will be teams that see value and a high floor based on his consistent production, interior scoring instincts, unteachable short-range touch, and offensive rebounding.”
Toppin was ranked as the third-best player in college basketball according to ESPN insiders, and has been one of the best rebounding bigs in the game over his first two seasons in Lubbock.
Lakers Predicted To Land Top Star JT Toppin In 2026 NBA Mock Draft
As Wasserman mentioned, there are both major upsides and some downsides to Toppin’s game. He is a very strong rebounder and scorer, but lacks an outside shot and a bit of size. However, with his all-around skill in the paint, he would be a great addition to pair with Doncic, a player who has elevated the big men he has played with throughout his career.
Just by looking at the recent growth of Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, and now Deandre Ayton playing alongside Doncic, the Slovenian has proven to be a strong lob and pick-and-roll threat with whoever he is playing with. Toppin could be the same, and like Lively and Washington, his athleticism would only open up opportunities for Doncic and others to get easier looks on the offensive side of the floor.
“Toppin is a solid athlete with good size and a nice skill level. He’s a strong 6-9 with length and hops, and plays above the rim with ease. Is a high-level rebounder on both ends. Gives a lot of effort on the glass and isn’t afraid of boxing out and doing the dirty work,” NBAdraftroom.com wrote about him. “Is the type of high-energy glue-guy who can be really valuable to an NBA team, even if he’s not a star or a starter.”
Writing for ESPN, Jeff Borzello wrote that Toppin ended last college season as one of the best players in the game, adding that, “It’s hard to see Toppin not being a consensus All-American this season.”
Doncic has seen success with athletic, rebounding bigs, and if Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office want to recreate his 2024 Finals run with the Dallas Mavericks, a player like Toppin would help.
Luka Doncic And Austin Reaves Leading The Way Without LeBron James
While the 2026 NBA Draft is pretty far away, the Lakers were predicted to pick 25th overall, likely meaning a strong regular season record and deep playoff push. So far this year, all signs point to that being the case, despite James still yet to play.
For now, it has been the Doncic and Austin Reaves show. The former is averaging 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game in seven appearances. All of those numbers would be career-highs for the 26-year-old, and now months after the historic trade from the Dallas Mavericks, he is playing the best basketball of his career.
For Reaves, the same is true. He is averaging a league-third 30.1 points per game along with 5.1 rebounds and nine assists on 49.1% shooting from the field. He has missed three games so far, but with the absence of James, he is putting together the best season of his career as he enters free agency this summer with the expectation of getting a deal worth close to $40 million a year.
Head coach JJ Redick has also gotten strong performances out of Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, and Ayton, which bodes well for the potential addition of a player like Toppin coming in next season.
The Lakers rank first in the NBA in field goal percentage at 51.2%, and have five clutch wins through their first 11 games. They are the only team with two players averaging at least 30 points per game, and have four other players averaging double-digit scoring.
While James is out, the team remains a contender, and when he returns, there is hope that their title chances will only increase with the league’s all-time leading scorer.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers Mock Draft Adds College Superstar To Form New Luka Duo appeared first on Heavy Sports.