Lakers Falling Behind in the NBA’s Draft-and-Develop Era - and It Could Cost Them
For much of Rob Pelinka’s tenure as Lakers GM, Los Angeles has operated with a top-heavy roster philosophy: stack the stars, fill in the gaps later. And to be fair, it’s delivered results - most notably, a 2020 championship.
Pelinka’s also found value in unlikely places, unearthing gems like Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves, players who went from overlooked to essential. But in today’s NBA, that formula is starting to show its cracks.
Around the league, the blueprint for sustainable success is shifting. It’s no longer just about pairing superstars - it’s about building depth through the draft, developing talent in-house, and maximizing value under the ever-tightening constraints of the new CBA. That’s where the Lakers have fallen behind.
The Draft Is the New Free Agency
Look at the contenders and rising powers across the NBA right now. Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets are turning late first-rounders and second-round picks into meaningful contributors - all on affordable rookie-scale contracts.
The Thunder are a prime example. While their core is built around high lottery picks like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, it’s the depth that’s setting them apart.
Isaiah Joe, Ajay Mitchell, and Aaron Wiggins - all second-rounders - are playing real, impactful minutes. That’s not just good scouting; it’s smart roster construction.
Denver’s doing the same. With Christian Braun sidelined, Peyton Watson has stepped up.
Both were taken after the 20th pick, and together they’re making less than $10 million this season. That kind of cost-effective production is gold in a league where max contracts eat up cap space fast.
Houston? They found an All-Star in Alperen Sengun at No. 16 and a defensive specialist in Tari Eason at No. 17 - both making under $8 million combined per year. That’s how you build a roster that lasts.
The Lakers’ Draft Dilemma
Now look at the Lakers. They’ve got stars - Luka Doncic, Reaves, potentially LeBron James for a little longer - but very little in the way of young, cheap, homegrown depth. They’ve traded away draft picks to chase proven talent, and while that’s netted short-term gains, it’s left the cupboard bare.
As of now, the Lakers only hold their own first-round picks in 2026, 2028, 2030, 2031, and 2032. That does give them the option to trade a 2031 first-rounder, but the smarter play might be to hold on tight. With the new CBA squeezing teams with multiple max contracts, those rookie deals - especially late firsts and seconds - are more valuable than ever.
And the second-round situation is even more dire. The Lakers don’t currently hold a second-round pick until 2033. That’s a full eight drafts without a shot at finding the next Joe, Wiggins, or Braun.
Why This Matters Now
The Lakers have had some success paying early for players they believe in. Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves both got locked into eight-figure deals within two years of arriving in L.A. But those contracts, combined with max deals for Doncic and potentially others, limit the team’s flexibility moving forward.
Without cheap, controllable talent coming through the pipeline, the Lakers are forced to rely on veterans and minimum deals to fill out the roster - and that’s a dangerous game in a league where injuries, aging, and regression are constant threats.
The lack of internal development also limits their options in trades. They can’t afford to take on a questionable contract the way the Thunder did with Isaiah Hartenstein or the Pistons did with Tobias Harris. If a deal goes sideways, there’s no safety net of young talent ready to step up.
The Clock Is Ticking
The window to pivot isn’t closed, but it’s narrowing. LeBron’s retirement is looming.
Reaves is due a big payday in 2026. Doncic becomes a free agent in 2028.
If the Lakers want to build something sustainable around their stars - and keep Doncic long-term - they need to start replenishing their draft capital.
That means holding onto their 2026 and 2028 first-rounders and making the most of them. It means finding ways to acquire second-round picks, whether through trades or creative maneuvering. And it means investing in scouting and player development in a way that hasn’t always been a priority in L.A.
The NBA is moving toward a model where stars still matter, but depth and development are what separate contenders from pretenders. The Lakers can’t afford to keep chasing the past. It’s time to catch up - or risk being left behind.