Lakers Expand Pre-Draft Workouts as 2026 NBA Selection Nears
The Los Angeles Lakers have widened their pre-draft search, bringing a dozen additional players to El Segundo for workouts as the franchise prepares for the 2026 NBA Draft. Los Angeles owns the No. 25 overall pick and is evaluating whether to use or trade the selection after recent misses on Dalton Knecht and Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Prospects worked out
According to HoopsHype, the latest group includes:
#31 Zuby Ejiofor (PF, St. John’s, 22-39)
#32 Alex Karaban (SF, UConn, 23-199)
#36 Baba Miller (PF, Cincinnati, 22-112)
#63 Peter Suder (SG, Miami (OH), 23-120)
#65 Rafael Castro (C, George Washington, 22-365)
#67 Jaden Henley (SF, Grand Canyon, 22-35)
UNR Sam Alexis (PF, Indiana, 21-227)
UNR Drake Allen (PG, Utah State, 25-36)
UNR Duke Brennan (C, Villanova, 23-53)
UNR Keba Keita (C, BYU, 22-283)
UNR Malachi Moreno (C, Kentucky, 19-217)
UNR Mike Sharavjamts (PG, South Carolina, 23-275)
UNR Marquel Sutton (PF, LSU, 23-138)
UNR Mohamed Wague (C, Oklahoma, 26-164)
The frontcourt focus is evident, with multiple power forwards and centers invited. Team officials have identified depth at forward and an additional rim-protecting center as offseason priorities.
Notable names
UConn forward Alex Karaban, a two-time national champion, is among the headliners. The 23-year-old projects as a high-volume three-point shooter with a skill set comparable to current Laker Rui Hachimura. If Los Angeles opts for a center at No. 25, executives are said to be interested in an athletic, two-way lob threat to complement star guard Luka Doncic.
Draft strategy
Former Virginia head coach Tony Bennett has been hired as a draft adviser and is assisting in the evaluation process for what scouts consider a deep 2026 class. The Lakers hope Bennett’s defensive expertise can help uncover value late in the first round.
Belief in Doncic
As the franchise attempts to retool around 27-year-old Luka Doncic, former Lakers guard Derek Fisher recently expressed confidence that the four-time All-NBA guard can return to the NBA Finals and deliver the organization’s first championship since 2020. Doncic posted MVP-caliber numbers in his first full season with Los Angeles, but injuries derailed a potential playoff run.
The Lakers will continue hosting workouts in the coming weeks before finalizing their draft board ahead of the June event.
Source: LakersNation.com
