The Los Angeles Lakers are about to begin what could turn out to be a very consequential offseason. They’re projected to have tens of millions of dollars of salary cap space, as well as two future first-round draft picks to offer in a trade, and those resources could allow them to start to truly build a championship-caliber team around Luka Doncic.
Los Angeles will also have the No. 25 pick in next week’s NBA draft. They have been working out prospects in this year’s draft class, including William Kyle III, a big man from Syracuse University.
According to Jake Fischer, the Lakers are one of a number of teams that are interested in Kyle.
“Our final second-round note: Syracuse’s William Kyle III has had enough positive feedback after visiting with 11 teams that he’s shutting down his pre-draft circuit and declining five additional workout invitations,” Fischer wrote. “Among the clubs said to have interest in Kyle: Both Finals teams — New York and San Antonio — as well as Oklahoma City, Boston and the Lakers.”
At 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, Kyle is a big man who can run the floor, and he has an impressive wingspan of 7-foot-3 and an outstanding vertical leap of 44 inches. He projects to be a rim-running big man who can convert easy baskets off lob passes, which is exactly the type of player who thrives alongside Luka Doncic.
The power forward averaged 8.4 points on 66.1% shooting, 7.1 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and one steal in 28.1 minutes a game as a senior this past season. He isn’t an overall offensive threat, and his 3-point shooting is completely nonexistent.
However, his shot-blocking skills and ability to switch onto smaller defenders on the perimeter, as well as his high motor, make him an intriguing prospect. He can also roll well and cut to the basket for easy looks near the rim.
Kyle is expected to go in the second round of the draft.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: 2026 Lakers draft prospects: William Kyle III
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
