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Veesaar Favorites: Onyenso, Brazile, Miller, Mitchell, Smith, Kyle, Udeh Jr., Castro

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Point guards Bruce Thornton / Jaden Bradley / Gillespie / Braden Smith / Copeland / Tamin Lipsey / Wings Baba Miller Dillon Mitchell Guards Richie Saunders

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If you're looking for centers Ugonna Onyenso / Trevon Brazile / Izaiyah Nelson William Kyle / Udeh Jr. / Castro / Awaka /

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If I were to guess if guys in this 2nd round to UDFA were going to resemble NBA readiness, I'd guess: Onyenso Thornton Saunders when he's healthy Gillespie Smith Lipsey Castro

Veesaar / Evans 2nd Rnd to UDFA: Ugonna Onyenso / Trevon Brazile / Bruce Thornton / Baba Miller / Richie Saunders / Jaden Bradley / Gillespie / Dillon Mitchell / Braden Smith / Copeland / Tamin Lipsey / Izaiyah Nelson William Kyle / Udeh Jr. / Castro / Awaka / Ajayi

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It definitely felt like that many pods 😂

Tobe Awaka is one of the most dominant rebounders / offensive rebounders, if not the most at the NCAA level. His motor and strength combination stands out.

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Izaiyah Nelson, William Kyle III Ernest Udeh Jr, and Rafael Castro are all 5s. Castro is the best decision maker. Udeh and Nelson are rim run, block shot types, William Kyle III is the 11' floor lob threat, switchable defender that needs to get stronger. Track and field athl.

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But if you were to ask me who is the most skilled, it's Braden Smith. Floor general, great decision maker, crisp with his PnR passing. More of a midrange threat than rim threat or 3pt. High IQ.

Brazile gets all the highlights, but I like Onyenso's defensive feel and 9'5" standing reach. I think he's the Dylan Cardwell of the draft. Thornton is the special touch shooter. Really special. Really strong. Just plays like a 6' Brice Sensabaugh.

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If LAL buys a pick, this is a list of players I'm looking at. I still think Veesaar and Evans are 1st round ranks. It's really clear the players that need to bulk up a bit, all slipped in the draft.

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Iztok Franko @iztokfranko.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Top tier athlete just like Theiro. Great elevation on 3s, some pull up 3pt shooting. Basically shut it down during the combine because he was on fire. Top tier elevation finisher and a lob threat at SG. Assuming he's kept ofc.

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Reposted by Mike Garcia

What started as me picking @canyondriver.bsky.social brain about the Lakers draft somehow turned into a 4,300-word draft guide. Archetypes. Prospects. Scouting reports. Historical comps. Data. For the basketball junkies👇 digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-dra...

digginbasketball.substack.com

Lakers Draft Series: Players and Archetypes for Pick No. 25

A detailed draft deep-dive in collaboration with Mike Garcia.

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Mike Garcia @canyondriver.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

I would not consider trading back.

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Reposted by Mike Garcia

Iztok Franko @iztokfranko.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

First article of the super fun draft collab with Lakers draft OG @canyondriver.bsky.social What should the Lakers do with the No. 25 pick? The value, the history, the flexibility, and the different paths in front of the Lakers this offseason. digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-dra...

digginbasketball.substack.com

Lakers Draft Series: What to Do With the 25th Pick?

Keep it, trade it, or package it? Breaking down the value, the history, and the Lakers’ best path forward.

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Reposted by Mike Garcia

Steve Jones @stevejones20.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

First of all, Happy International Women's Day

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Mike Garcia @canyondriver.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Right but that means working with a timetable while Krivas is ready from the jump.

Mike Garcia @canyondriver.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

A big, physical defensive anchor with great read and react instincts defensively.

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Mike Garcia @canyondriver.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Honestly, I don't think the Lakers have the strength and conditioning program for Mara.

Mike Garcia @canyondriver.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

A lot had changed in 1 month. But fwiw, I want the Lakers to target Montiejus Krivas from the University of Arizona.

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Reposted by Mike Garcia

Mike Garcia @canyondriver.bsky.social · 10/11/2024

go.bsky.app/HycDWKH I hope this is a good start. I did this from memory. I'm still learning this place, so I'm sure I can edit if necessary.

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Admittedly, one of my favorite guys to watch is Stefan Vaaks. 6'6"+ microwave shooter with short range footwork juice to get himself open. Super fun.

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If the Lakers really had a more proven training staff, I'd consider more long term plays like Aday Mara. The other guys I do like in Cameron Carr Yaxel Lendeborg Neoklis Avdalas Braylon Mullins All probably go mid 1st to late lottery too.

As I've mentioned before, this team doesn't wait for projects and always wants immediate production, so the guarantee of athletic ability is a trade off for more refined skill once we get into the late 1st into the mid 2nd.

The truth is, LAL needs a high motor 2 way guy, regardless of position and skill. But Coach Redick is so reliant on switchable defense that I'm just mainly looking at 3/4/5s with rare exceptions.

Some of those guys I consider lottery level. Others aren't listed highly on mocks, but all current mocks assume 100% players declaring for the draft, which never happens.

Might as well update. Guys I'm looking at no order: Dailyn Swain Morez Johnson Jr. Joshua Jefferson Killyan Toure Thomas Haugh Henri Veesar Juke Harris Andrej Stojakovic Johann Grunloh

Mike Garcia @canyondriver.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Well Dailyn Swain just had a 34/14 game as a versatile wing. He's mid 1st to lottery now.

Mike Garcia @canyondriver.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

K, a bunch of mocks like those guys too and pushed the mid 1st to lottery for most so .. Time to add more. Juke Harris.