The NBA Draft marks the start of plans for the upcoming NBA season.
The NBA Finals memorable seven-game series were playing, but teams around the league were busy laying the foundations for future drafts.
The team without a first round pick is the LA Lakers. LALakers will need to wait until pick 55 to make a selection.
This limits the caliber of players the Lakers can draft, and also expands the range of results for who is not available.
There was a proposal for a trade-up on ESPN, but the Lakers are now preparing for the second round of picks by bringing players in for training.
Adding sizes is a clear priority for the Lakers in free agency, but teams can add depth and developmental options to their draft.
Three young prospects work with the LA Lakers prior to the NBA draft, according to Hoopshype’s workout tracker.
- year: twenty three
- College: Auburn Tigers
- height: 6 feet 11 inches
- nationality: united states of america
Cardwell is a defensive impact maker that helped the Auburn Tigers reach the NCAA Final Four in 2025.
His coach Bruspal made him ring out, telling al.com: “Dylan Cardwell blows away all the analysis there.
“What does he do? He rules the board. He’s the best defender on the floor. He doesn’t flip basketball.
“I think he has the opportunity to play in the NBA because he can score in the air and defend any position.
- year: twenty two
- College: Indiana Hoosiers
- height: 7 feet
- nationality: Mari
Oumar Ballo was one of the most popular university relocations when he switched from the Arizona Wildcats to the Indiana Hoosiers in 2024.
He made his name at the FIFA Under 19 World Cup when he faced Tyreese Halliburton and Scotty Burns in 2019. Now he wants to join them in the NBA.
Hoosiers manager Mike Woodson told SI after his acquisition: “Oumar is a winner on both ends of the floor and has a winning background. He’s a big mate with a soft touch around rims, good hands and solid footwork.”
- year: twenty three
- College: Alabama Crimson Tide
- height: 6 feet 11 inches
- nationality: Nigeria
Clifford Omoruyi spent four years at Rutgers before switching to Alabama from 2024-25, where he won the acclaim of coach Nate Oats.
The oats were quoted from USA Today. “The best thing he does is protect the rim and rebound.
“He’s one of the best kids I’ve ever coached. He’s great. He has a high IQ and is about the team. He was great for the coach.