The Los Angeles Lakers were active as they added multiple players to the roster on two nights of the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ only second round pick was used to draft Adou Thiero at the 36th spot, but the team picked up four players after the draft.
This includes signing Villanova’s Eric Dixon for a two-way deal for the 2025-26 NBA season. Despite being undrafted, Dixon has a prominent outlook.
After all, the Lakers’ latest signature drew 41% attention from last season’s three-point line as the NCAA led the score.
Betting on undrafted players doesn’t always pay off, but the Lakers have already managed to get it with Austin Reeves in recent memory.
In Dixon’s case, he is already a proven scorer in the NCAA, but what else will he bring to the league table? Well, the former Villanova standout answered it in an interview with Hoopshype.
“On the first day, I bring intelligence, toughness and the ability to connect to both sides of the floor. One thing that stands out is my screening ability and my tricks to help my teammates get open.
“I played with a lot of great security guards at colleges like Justin (Moore) last season. I was proud to get shots from those guys. You couldn’t stop them if they got hot.”
The 24-year-old wasn’t over as he pointed out that the NBA defender had to “respect” his game.
He added: “The defenders had to respect my ability to film, too. I didn’t shoot much when I was in my third year, but when I did, I was open – a defense focused on everyone else, but I made the shots.
“That’s what I bring: connecting teams and creating smart plays.”
Despite last season’s third seed finish, the Lakers regular season heroic was hidden at the exit of the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
The key reason behind it was the lack of effort on the floor defense. Clearly, the Lakers heading into the 2025-26 season want to resolve this flaw, and signing Dixon feels like a step in that direction.
“It’s something I bring to the table. We’ve switched a lot to Nova. It’s something we’ve been constantly working on. I’m happy to keep every position comfortable, from point guard to center,” Dixon said of his defense.
“The way I think about my figure and the way I think about my game is that I can do it. Protecting the 3, 4, and 5ives is nothing new to me. I’m excited by the challenge and to stand up to the best in the world. I’m ready to step up.”
If Dixon could become the defensive anchor for the Lakers, that would certainly be a big bonus for the team. First of all, it removes the load from LeBron James, who plays the 23rd season of his NBA career.
Moreover, Dixon’s becoming an elite defender could be his ticket to convert his two-way contract into a permanent deal.