Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers news and rumors, Lakers mock draft, JT Toppin
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General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2025 in El Segundo, California.
Regardless of the methods, the Los Angeles Lakers have found a way to put themselves in a competitive position for the next decade plus, assuming Luka Doncic stays around and general manager Rob Pelinka can continue to attract star talent in free agency.
While the future looks bright for the immediate future, consideringDoncic’s MVP-level start to the season, itdoesn’t mean he can single-handedly carry the Lakers to their 18th NBA title in franchise history.
That is where the draft will come in, and while Pelinka has a shaky history in that department, the upcoming 2026 class has loads of talent. Most recently, the Lakerswere predicted to select JT Toppin with the 25th pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. The superstar from Texas Tech has only played one game so far this collegiate season, but dropped 31 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists in his lone appearance against Sam Houston State.
B/R Hoops
POY candidate JT Toppin in his debut tonight:
▪️31 PTS ▪️10-19 FG ▪️14 REB ▪️4 AST ▪️3 STL ▪️1 BLK
“There were scouts with a first-round grade on JT Toppin last May thanks to above-average activity around the basket and a soft touch in the key,”Jonathan Wasserman wrote for Bleacher Report. “Even ifit’s difficult to envision pathways to upside for a6’9”post player, there will be teams that see value and a high floor based on his consistent production, interior scoring instincts, unteachable short-range touch, and offensive rebounding.”
Toppin was rankedas the third-best player incollege basketballaccording to ESPN insiders,and has been one of the best rebounding bigs in the game over his first two seasons in Lubbock.
Lakers Predicted To Land Top Star JT Toppin In 2026 NBA Mock Draft
As Wasserman mentioned, there are bothmajor upsides and some downsides toToppin’s game. He isa very strong rebounder and scorer, but lacks an outside shot anda bit of size. However, with his all-around skill in the paint, he would be a great addition to pair with Doncic, a player who has elevated the big men he has played with throughout his career.
Just by looking at the recent growth of Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, and now Deandre Ayton playing alongside Doncic, the Slovenian has proven to be a strong lob and pick-and-roll threat with whoever he is playing with. Toppin could be the same, and like Lively and Washington, his athleticism would only open up opportunities for Doncic and others to get easier looks on the offensive side of the floor.
“Toppin is a solid athlete with good size and a nice skill level.He’s a strong 6-9 with length and hops, and plays above the rim with ease. Is a high-level rebounder on both ends. Gives a lot of effort on the glass andisn’t afraid of boxing out and doing the dirty work,”NBAdraftroom.com wrote about him. “Is the type of high-energy glue-guy who can be really valuable to an NBA team, even ifhe’s not a star or a starter.”
Writing for ESPN, Jeff Borzello wrote that Toppin ended last college season as one of the best players in the game, adding that, “It’s hard to see Toppin not being a consensus All-American this season.”
Doncic has seen success with athletic, rebounding bigs, and if Pelinka and theLakers’ front office want to recreate his 2024 Finals run with the Dallas Mavericks, a player like Toppin would help.
Luka Doncic And Austin Reaves Leading The Way Without LeBron James
While the 2026 NBA Draft ispretty far away, the Lakerswere predicted to pick 25th overall, likely meaning a strong regular seasonrecord and deep playoff push. So far this year, all signs point to that being the case, despite James stillyet to play.
For now, it has been the Doncic and Austin Reaves show. The former is averaging 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game in seven appearances.All of those numbers would becareer-highs for the 26-year-old, and now months after the historic trade from the Dallas Mavericks, he is playing the best basketball of his career.
For Reaves, the same is true. He is averaging a league-third 30.1 points per game along with 5.1 rebounds and nine assists on 49.1% shooting from the field.He has missed three games so far, but withthe absence of James, he is putting together the best season of his career as he enters free agency this summer with the expectation of getting a deal worth close to $40 million a year.
Head coach JJ Redick has also gotten strong performancesout ofRui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, and Ayton, which bodes well for the potential addition of a player like Toppincoming in next season.
Coach🧪📋
Rui Hachimura has been one of the Lakers quiet X-factors this season
17PPG 4RBS 2AST 47%3FG 59%FG
How will Lebron’s return affect his game❓
The Lakers rank first in the NBA in field goal percentage at 51.2%, and have five clutch wins through their first 11 games. They are the only team with two players averaging at least 30 points per game, and have four other players averaging double-digit scoring.
While James is out, the team remains a contender, and when he returns, there is hope that their title chances will only increase with theleague’s all-time leading scorer.