The Los Angeles Lakers are staring postseason elimination in the face, trailing 3-0 in their Western Conference semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Monday’s Game 4 could officially bring the Lakers’ season to an end, with Luka Doncic already ruled out for what would be the final game of the campaign.
On Sunday, attention across the league shifted toward the NBA Draft Lottery, with focus slowly beginning to turn toward what could become a pivotal offseason for several franchises.
Lakers Could Target Perimeter Shooting in 2026 NBA Draft
The center position has emerged as one of the Lakers’ biggest roster priorities following an inconsistent season from former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton.
At the same time, Los Angeles is also expected to continue searching for additional perimeter depth and shooting this summer.
The NBA Draft offers the Lakers a valuable opportunity to improve the roster while preserving long-term financial flexibility.
Los Angeles currently controls its 2026 first-round pick and is projected to select toward the latter stages of the opening round.
In his latest mock draft, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman projected the Lakers to select Duke wing Isaiah Evans with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“There have been signs of Isaiah Evans’ improved burst for slashing to the rim,” Wasserman wrote. “Regardless, he’ll be eyed by teams for his off-ball shooting, which has looked similar to last year, only with double the minutes and shots.”
During his sophomore season, Evans averaged 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and just under one steal and block across 36 games.
He also shot 43.3% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range on 7.4 attempts per game, while converting 86.0% of his free throws.
Isaiah Evans Emerging as Intriguing Fit
Evans scored 20 or more points in nine games this season, highlighted by a career-high 32-point performance against Florida State in the ACC Tournament semifinal.
In that game, he shot 11-of-20 from the field and knocked down seven three-pointers, while also contributing six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
The 6-foot-6 wing also caught fire during Duke’s NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen victory over St. John’s, scoring 25 points and further showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure moments.
Evans flashed defensive upside throughout the season, recording several games with multiple steals and blocks, including a five-block outing against Florida and a four-steal performance versus Louisville.
“Evans has the makings of a quality wing shooter, with good positional size and the ability to hit tough shots off movement,” ESPN’s Jeremy Woo wrote. “He took a leap this season with an expanded role at Duke and has starter-level upside if he can be more consistent.”
As the Lakers continue shaping the roster around Doncic and Austin Reaves, alongside what could be the final stage of LeBron James’ career in Los Angeles, the front office may prioritize complementary talent over another high-usage star.
Players capable of contributing on both ends of the floor, while bringing energy, versatility, and perimeter shooting, could become increasingly valuable targets for the organization.
If the Lakers ultimately retain their first-round pick, the later stages of the draft could offer several intriguing options, with Evans standing out as a particularly natural fit on the wing.
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