Lakers News: LA Works Out Big 12, Pac-12 Stars, Others In Pre-Draft Audition

Los Angeles decision makers got a close look at six new prospects.

Another day, another Los Angeles Lakers pre-draft workout. 

Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, LA personnel took a look at six fresh faces as this Thursday's draft approaches.

Two-time First-Team All-Pac-12 University of Arizona center Azuolas Tubelis, University of Connecticut combo guard Andre Jackson Jr. (fresh off the NCAA championship), little-used Stetson guard Sam Peek, Second-Team All-Big 12 University of Texas small forward Timmy Allen, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga center Jake Stephens, and Overtime Elite pro Jazian Gorman were today's latest victims.

The two centers are perhaps the most intriguing pieces to yours truly, as going all-in on size seemed to really behoove LA throughout the playoffs, despite not having a particularly great official option at backup center. Both Wenyen Gabriel and Tristan Thompson, two unrestricted free agents this summer, received spot minutes at different points in the playoffs, but neither eked out consistent rotation time. Instead, forward Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Jarred Vanderbilt were often used as small-ball fives to spell starter Anthony Davis at the position.

It feels unlikely that Gabriel or Thompson will return. I'm also dubious LA picks up its $10.3 million option on 3-and-D reserve big Mo Bamba, unless it's with the express purpose of packaging his money as part of a bigger trade.

So why not try to find an athletic, young five under team control through the draft this summer?

The 6'11" Tubelis averaged college career highs of 19.8 points and 9.1 boards a night, along with 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks, across 35 contests with the Wildcats in 2023-24 (34 starts). 

The 6'10" Stephens also netted career highs in scoring and rebounding last season, his first with Chattanooga (he had previously played for Virginia Military Institute since 2018). He logged 22.0 points, 9.8 boards, 3.4 dimes, 2.2 blocks and 0.9 steals a night for the Mocs.

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