meleek thomas
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Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas.
Out of all the positions the Los Angeles Lakers might need in the offseason, guard isn’t high on the list if the team re-signs Austin Reaves. Luka Doncic is one of the best guards in the NBA, and Reaves is playing like an All-Star this season.
Good teams always need depth at guard, but since the Lakers already have so much talent there, they could take a chance on a young player who might need some time to develop.
The 2026 NBA Draft is still a long time away, but there are college players who are emerging as likely first-round picks. One player who should have some hype heading into the draft is Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas.
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report projected the Lakers to select Thomas with the No. 27 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“Big games against JMU and Tennessee should have helped remind scouts to stay patient with Meleek Thomas,” Wasserman wrote.
“He struggled making shots and finishes throughout December, and based on his style and track record, it wouldn’t be surprising if streakiness remains a part of his identity. But Thomas has clear NBA-caliber scoring potential with his confident shotmaking, shooting versatility and creation into drives and floaters.”
Background on Thomas
Thomas has had a bit of an up-and-down Freshman year at Arkansas. He’s certainly a streaky young player, but the upside is huge.
He’s averaging 15.4 points per game this season and hitting 37.2% of his 3-point shots. He’s got some really good skills on the offensive side of the ball.
Thomas is only 19, so there’s going to be a lot of room to grow, even as this current college basketball season goes on. One thing that makes him interesting is that he often comes off the bench for Arkansas. He could be a potential sixth man at the NBA level. Since the Lakers’ two starting guard spots are spoken for, he’d be somebody who could provide a scoring boost off the bench.
Lakers Urged to Trade for Keon Ellis
The Lakers had a very strong start to the season, but are 5-5 in their last 10 games. With the trade deadline coming up, Los Angeles is expected to be active.
They clearly need a piece or two if they hope to compete in a loaded Western Conference. The Lakers don’t have the assets to add a star, but they don’t need star power. Kevin Pelton of ESPN revealed the one player the team should try to target at the deadline.
“If I ran the Lakers, I would be calling the Sacramento Kings daily about guard Keon Ellis, who has been in and out of coach Doug Christie’s crowded backcourt rotation after averaging 24.4 minutes last season,” Pelton wrote. “Ellis is a career 41.6% 3-point shooter who excels at defending on the ball. Perhaps most importantly, he’s making the minimum in the last season of his rookie contract. Not only would Ellis easily fit into the Lakers’ cap sheet now — and give them the ability to address the frontcourt using other expiring contracts — his tiny cap hold would help maximize their flexibility this summer.”