LeBron James
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Lakers' LeBron James during a game against the Golden State Warriors in March 2024
Headlines speculating about LeBron James’ retirement will continue to surface until the day the Los Angeles Lakers superstar finally decides to step away from the game.
Now 41 years old and in the midst of a historic 23rd NBA season as the league’s oldest active player, James’ long-term future remains uncertain. Whether he ultimately retires as a Laker is still unknown, but the franchise’s broader direction is coming into focus.
With Luka Doncic carrying much of the offensive burden and upcoming drafts shaping up to be among the most important in years, Los Angeles is clearly beginning to look ahead.
That forward-thinking approach surfaced again in ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft, where analyst Jeremy Woo linked the Lakers to a physically gifted, two-way wing described as a “rare” talent and a potential long-term successor to James.
Lakers Linked to Baylor Wing as Long-Term Project
In Woo’s projection, the Lakers are tipped to select Baylor freshman forward Tounde Yessoufou with the 22nd overall pick, a selection that signals planning beyond the LeBron era.
Yessoufou, a 19-year-old standing at 6-foot-5, has emerged as one of the more intriguing freshmen in college basketball this season with the Baylor Bears.
Through 16 games, he’s averaging 17.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 29.9% from three-point range.
Woo notes that Yessoufou’s path to being a clear-cut one-and-done prospect has been less straightforward than initially expected.
Inconsistent perimeter shooting remains a concern, and Baylor’s lack of dynamic guard play has often forced him into tougher shot attempts while limiting his opportunities to attack downhill.
Even so, his upside at the next level remains evident, particularly on the defensive end.
“His excellent frame and room to grow defensively present upside,” Woo wrote. “He remains an interesting bet as the draft thins out in the 20s.”
Yessoufou’s blend of strength, length, and athleticism continues to draw attention from NBA evaluators, especially in a draft range where certainty becomes harder to find.
While the Lakers remain committed to competing now, the projection highlights the delicate balance between contending in the present and preparing for the future.
Draft Analysts See Upside Despite Offensive Questions
With James moving deeper into the latter stages of his career, the Lakers are focused on adjusting the roster while remaining firmly in win-now mode.
Adding a high-upside forward through the draft would give the organization a developmental piece who could be eased in behind veterans and gradually grow into a larger role as the roster evolves.
Yessoufou’s draft stock appears consistent across outlets. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has projected him in a similar range.
“NBA teams’ thinking will have them banking on Tounde Yessoufou’s physical tools, athleticism and motor for transition scoring, easy baskets and defense,” Wasserman wrote.
“There are visions of a higher ceiling—Yessoufou has shown some fallaway shotmaking and enough range to make 1.5 threes per game.”
Wasserman has also cited Cam Whitmore of the Washington Wizards as an NBA comparison, previously pointing to flashes of self-creation and shotmaking that hint at untapped offensive potential.
Woo cautions that Yessoufou will likely need a strong second half of the season to lock in his first-round status. Improved shooting efficiency and better finishing at the rim would help quiet concerns about his offensive ceiling.
Still, even as he stands now, the Baylor wing remains an appealing swing for teams drafting in the 20s and a prospect worth monitoring as the Lakers begin to map out their post-LeBron future.