{"id":139800,"date":"2025-05-16T09:00:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T13:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=139800"},"modified":"2025-05-15T18:24:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T22:24:23","slug":"2025-nba-mock-draft-lakers-prospects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/16\/2025-nba-mock-draft-lakers-prospects\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 NBA Draft: 4 Prospects Mocked to Lakers at No. 55"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2025 NBA Draft picture has become clearer with this week\u2019s stunning <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/15\/2-takeaways-from-the-nba-draft-lottery-for-fantasy-basketball\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lottery<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> results. Though most eyes will be on the top picks and first-round selections, Lakers fans (barring a trade) will have to wait until June 26 to hear who Rob Pelinka and the front office will add with the 55th overall pick.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The experts have some notable selections in the most recent mock drafts. Here are four prospects the Lakers are tied to and how they could fit with the purple and gold.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>2025 NBA Draft: 4 Prospects Mocked to Lakers at No. 55<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Bleacher Report: Vladislav Goldin (7\u20191\u201d, C, Michigan)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/25182876-2025-nba-mock-draft-predictions-pro-comps-after-regular-season\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7\u20191\u201d and 250 pounds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/college\/michigan\/basketball\/analyzing-danny-wolf-vlad-goldin-nba-futures-impact-on-michigan-basketball\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">decent floor-spacing ability<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/vladislav-goldin-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vladislav Goldin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seems like an ideal fit for the Lakers on both ends. The 23-year-old averaged 16.6 points (60.7% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 73.1% FT), 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 assists for the Wolverines. He did most of his scoring in the paint, only attempting threes by his senior year, but showed an ability to finish through contact, either on the roll or in the post. Additionally, he displayed a knack for <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/edemirnba.substack.com\/p\/vladislav-goldin-scouting-report?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=595566&amp;post_id=163538670\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">crashing the offensive glass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, tallying two offensive rebounds per game in each of the last four seasons\u2014numbers that JJ Redick and the Lakers would love. Goldin is also a strong defender, tallying 51 blocks this season and 194 over his five-year career.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite being an older rookie, Goldin would help the team\u2019s rebounding and defense tremendously, and his willingness to take threes\u2014a must in today\u2019s game\u2014is an added bonus for bigs like him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vladislav Goldin - Michigan - 2024-25 NBA Draft Scouting Highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LO1AqJzCEUg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><b>The Athletic: Izan Almansa (6\u201910\u201d, PF, Australia)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/gleague\/players\/a\/almaniz01d.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izan Almansa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is another name to watch, mocked to the Lakers by <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6345850\/2025\/05\/12\/nba-mock-draft-2025-cooper-flagg-mavericks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Athletic\u2019s Sam Vecenie<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A 19-year-old forward currently playing in Australia, Almansa <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/nbl.com.au\/players\/izan-almansa\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">averaged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 6.8 points (51% FG) and 3.9 rebounds for the NBL\u2019s Perth Wildcats, the same team that prepped last year\u2019s second overall pick, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sarral01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alex Sarr<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. He <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nba\/article\/2025-nba-draft-scouting-report-izan-almansa-f-perth-184022141.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">projects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a strong rebounder and hustler who scores well in the paint and makes plays out of the post. He\u2019s also a good finisher in transition and can occasionally nail catch-and-shoot threes. O\u2019Connor even noted Almansa can be a \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">potential short-roll weapon if paired with the right point guard\u201d (cough cough <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/doncilu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almansa shows plenty of promise as a potential second-round pick and would benefit under the Lakers\u2019 development. However, they should be wary of his limitations as a shooter and defender, with the latter making his small-ball center potential slim to none. Still, the Lakers could always use more frontcourt help, and perhaps Almansa can bring more size and energy there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Izan Almansa - Perth - 2024-25 International Highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ieXM0Y_Vxyg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><b>Yahoo! Sports: RJ Luis (6\u20197\u201d, SF, St. John\u2019s)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from centers, the Lakers have also made wing depth a priority this offseason\u2014notable considering <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/finnedo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dorian Finney-Smith<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s player option and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hachiru01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rui Hachimura<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/clutchpoints.com\/nba\/nba-stories\/giannis-kevin-durant-trades-highlight-5-blockbusters-shake-up-nba\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">status in trade rumors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As such, St. John\u2019s forward <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/rj-luis-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RJ Luis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could be a solid option, according to <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nba\/article\/nba-mock-draft-10-the-mavericks-won-the-cooper-flagg-sweepstakes-heres-how-every-pick-could-play-out-now-234814117.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yahoo! Sports\u2019 Kevin O\u2019Connor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In his second season under Rick Pitino after transferring from UMass Amherst, the junior averaged 18.2 points (43.9% FG, 33.6% 3PT, 74.7% FT), 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">O\u2019Connor described Luis as a tone-setter on defense \u201cwith his versatility and intensity,\u201d also noting how he can attack downhill on offense. Other <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.babcockhoops.com\/post\/2025-nba-draft-rj-luis-jr-scouting-report\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">scouting reports<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> highlighted similar traits while mentioning his solid mid-range game as well. However, there are concerns over Luis\u2019 inconsistent shooting and decision-making, with O\u2019Connor pointing out he was benched in the <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mens-college-basketball\/story\/_\/id\/44363533\/rick-pitino-defends-benching-rj-luis-jr-loss-arkansas\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red Storm\u2019s second-round loss<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for those reasons. Still, the Lakers would benefit from molding a 3-and-D prospect into a rotation player under Redick, and Luis, like others mentioned here, appears to be a decent bet at 55.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"RJ Luis - St. John&#039;s - 2024-25 Transfer Portal Highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tdFmOjNQmu4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><b>ESPN: Dink Pate (6\u20198\u201d, SG\/SF, Mexico City)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/42608168\/nba-draft-2025-top-10-international-players-need-know\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Highly regarded<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45076130\/2025-nba-mock-draft-pick-projections-picks-post-lottery-cooper-flagg-dallas-mavericks\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ESPN<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s Jonathan Givony, G League guard <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/gleague\/players\/p\/patedi01d.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dink Pate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> turned heads as the <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nba\/draft\/prospect-profiles\/nba-draft-scouting-report-g-league-dink-pate\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">youngest US-born player to turn pro<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> last season, playing with the aforementioned Izan Almansa in the <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/basketball.realgm.com\/dleague\/teams\/NBA-G-League-Ignite\/61\/Rosters\/2024\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">G League Ignite<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s final year. Continuing his career in Mexico City, the Dallas native started all 34 games he played, averaging 10.1 points (40.7% FG, 25.8% 3PT, 58.1% FT), 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Pate is a tall guard who can <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.babcockhoops.com\/post\/2025-nba-draft-dink-pate-scouting-report\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">score from all three levels and make plays for others<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, particularly in transition. A recent <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/S6cZp79NPIk\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clip<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the NBA Draft Combine showed him throwing down an outlet pass from the edge of the restricted area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pate\u2019s size, versatility and experience make him an intriguing potential pick for the Lakers, someone they could develop to play at the two or three later on. But similar to Luis, they may have to work with him on his shot selection and defense, making him a wildcard of a second-round prospect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dink Pate - Mexico City - 2024-25 Highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/izPNI9n1QPs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2025 NBA Draft picture has become clearer with this week\u2019s stunning lottery results. Though most eyes will be on the top picks and first-round selections, Lakers fans (barring a trade) will have to wait until June 26 to hear who Rob Pelinka and the front office will add with the 55th overall pick. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":139804,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,26,62,556],"tags":[49375,4283,2279,1133,866,1000,759,1450],"class_list":["post-139800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-lakers","category-nba","category-nba-draft","tag-2025-nba-draft","tag-g-league-ignite","tag-jj-redick","tag-luka-doncic","tag-michigan-wolverines","tag-nbl","tag-rob-pelinka","tag-st-johns-red-storm"],"modified_by":"Jordan Pagkalinawan","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139800"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139810,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139800\/revisions\/139810"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/139804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}