First of all, Happy International Women's Day

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

Arizona center Motiejus Krivas is the best rim protector in college basketball and a real 2026 NBA Draft prospect The Lithuanian big man is a legitimate first round pick option in 2026 because of his play on the interior while controlling the paint.

substack.com/@gametheorys...

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

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

A lot had changed in 1 month.

But fwiw, I want the Lakers to target Montiejus Krivas from the University of Arizona.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Forgot to add Keaton Wagler

No, but if he tests the waters, my eye is on him.

Well aware.

When you're referring to the most talented, I think it's a fair assumption to think of the #1 pick.

How is that different from AJ, Boozer, and Peterson? Each with their own physical tools, of the same age, with more refined offensive game?

He has the best motor of the 3, I agree with that. But I think you're just focusing on Wilson and not looking at the other draft prospects.

I should clarify, poor non-dunk / at rim percentage.

What makes you think he is?

He has a poor at rim FG% because his footwork is bad, and he forced shots in the paint like he's too rushed. He doesn't get his legs under him.

The top 3 don't have this problem.

I disagree.

Guys I'm waiting for the NBA draft early this season:

Cameron Carr - Baylor
Joshua Jefferson - Iowa St.
Killyan Toure - Iowa St.

I expect Carr and Jefferson to blow past the Laker 1st, which leaves Killyan Toure.

Others:
Johann Grunloh
Dailyn Swain

He did work on that shot all throughout recovery though.

Just happy that Adou Theiro is being a productive NBA player, especially coming off of knee injury. I don't think he's lost at all, and the defensive playmaking stands out every time, even in limited minutes.

after seeing adou thiero play at south bay last night, i thought it would be fun to clip the first time pete & darius talked about adou — right before the 2nd round of the nba draft, notably, the top defensive wing on @canyondriver.bsky.social 's board at that point.

👀