With the NBA regular season in the rearview mirror, front offices across the league are already looking ahead, and for many, that means deep dives into the 2026 NBA Draft class. The excitement of March Madness, capped by the Michigan Wolverines' championship run, provided a perfect showcase for the next generation of talent, with several prospects making a compelling case for their future in the pros.

The draft picture will come into sharper focus on May 10th with the Draft Lottery in Chicago, immediately followed by the combine. For the Los Angeles Lakers, holding the projected No. 25 pick (per Tankathon.com), the focus will be on finding a player who can contribute to their championship aspirations from day one.

In their latest mock draft, USA TODAY projects the Lakers to select Morez Johnson Jr., the versatile big man from Michigan. Johnson isn't just a champion; he's a cornerstone of that title-winning identity. After transferring from Illinois, he blossomed into one of the NCAA's premier two-way players, earning All-Big Ten honors and showcasing a skillset tailor-made for the modern NBA.

His offensive game is efficient, featuring a reliable scoring touch around the rim and smart cuts to the basket, complemented by promising free-throw shooting. Defensively, he's a proven playmaker and a trusted anchor. As a former standout for the FIBA U-19 Team USA, Johnson brings a winning pedigree and the two-way versatility the Lakers consistently seek to bolster their roster for the long playoff battles ahead.