2025 NBA mock draft roundup: Who will the Lakers target in the second round?
As we enter the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday, the Lakers have the No. 55 pick and there are still plenty of quality options available.
The 2025 NBA Draft first round came and went on Wednesday with the Lakers being passive participants.
On Thursday, the second round begins and Los Angeles has the No. 55 pick.
With the board more clear now heading into the second day, let’s take a look at what mock drafts are predicting for the Lakers on day two of the draft.
ESPN — Viktor Lakhin, big, Clemson
Lakhin is a player who has been featured in previous mock drafts as a player the Lakers should consider taking. As Los Angeles begins Draft Day, here is what Jonathan Givony of ESPN thinks of the Michigan big.
Strengths: Lakhin is a versatile big man and fifth-year senior who made real strides as a shooter to complement his interior skill level, as well as his passing and defensive timing.
Weaknesses: He is not particularly fast or explosive, being somewhat stuck between positions. He has relied on timing and craft at the college level, which might not translate seamlessly against better athletes. He has had several injuries over the past few years, missing most of the predraft process because of a ligament tear in his foot that will sideline him for several months.
The verdict: Lakhin had a terrific season, doing a little bit of everything with his feel for the game, finishing touch and maturity on the defensive end. His improvement as a floor spacer is notable. The lack of sample with his jumper means he’ll need to stay healthy and prove this part of his game is real to carve out a meaningful role in the NBA. — Givony
Bleacher Report — Tamar Bates, guard, Missouri
Tamar Bates has put himself in the second-round discussion with a strong draft process, first standing out at Elite Camp and then looking like he belonged during NBA combine scrimmages. He’s an efficient shotmaker and one of the most efficient finishers among guards in this year’s field.
The Athletic — Amari Williams, big, Kentucky
Williams is a large human with an incredibly long wingspan at 7-6. Offensively, Williams is one of the best big man passers in the draft, with the ability to run dribble handoffs and play at the top of the key before making reads to cutters and kickouts to his teammates. Defensively, Williams is quite slow, but he uses his length on the interior well and is seen as an intriguing third center option for NBA teams with potential to develop into more.
CBS Sports — Eric Dixon, big, Villanova
Similar to Lakhin, Dixon has been connected to the Lakers in many mock drafts. This is what Kyle Boone of CBS Sports has to say about the Villanova forward.
Dixon’s a professional bucket-getter who led college basketball in scoring last season and earned All-American honors in his fifth and final season at Villanova. He plays bigger than his measurements indicate and has managed efficiency as a scorer in various roles in college.
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