The Los Angeles Lakers have brought in three centers ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft as they weigh their options for the No. 55 pick.
According to Hoopshype’s pre-draft workout tracker, Auburn’s Dylan Cardwell, Indiana’s Oumar Ballo and Alabama’s Clifford Omoruyi were the centers in the 13-man list of prospects who have worked out with the Lakers.
Cardwell was measured 6’9.25″ with 7’0.75″ at the G League Draft Combine. Ballo was measured 6’11.25″ with 7’0.25″ wingspan. Omoruyi was measured 6’11” with 7’6.25″ wingspan.
The Lakers only have Trey Jemison III (two-way) and Maxi Kleber as centers under contract for next season. Jaxson Hayes, who started at center after Anthony Davis was shipped in the Luka Dončić trade, is an unrestricted free agent. He is unsure of returning following his benching in the Lakers’ first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers will not find a starting-caliber center late in the draft, but they could find a developmental center who can serve as a depth piece.
Mali’s Pride
Ballo is the most decorated among the centers who worked out for the Lakers.
He starred for Mali’s silver medal run, the highest finish for an African nation, in the 2019 FIBA U-19 World Cup. The Malian star big man averaged 17.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game and he was selected to the All-Star Five.
Ballo is hoping to become the fifth NBA player from Mali.
NBA Draft Room described Ballo as a “brute force in the paint” who is built like a young Eddy Curry “but with a bit more talent.”
Curry was the fourth overall pick in 2001 who played 11 seasons in the NBA. The former New York Knicks center once averaged a career-best 19.5 points and 7.0 rebounds during his fifth year in the pros.
Ballo averaged 13.0 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists at Indiana in his final year in college. The 22-year-old center previously played for Gonzaga and Arizona.
One of College’s Most Physical Centers
“Cardwell was one of the most physical centers in college,” wrote Ersin Demir on his Substack newsletter called “Ersin’s NBA Draft Newsletter.”
But Ersin projects the 23-year-old big man to go undrafted and sign as an undrafted free agent by a contender.
“His archetype fits the need of every winning team to add to their depth chart. Cardwell’s excellent understanding of positioning and intangibles of good decision-making in pick-and-roll and closeout defense adds value to a defensive rating. Offensively, he can’t close games due to that low free-throw percentage. Regardless, the non-shooting character of his game is compensated by his great screening, aggressive play-finishing, and value as one of college basketball’s best offensive rebounders,” Demi wrote.
Cardwell averaged 5.0 points and a career-high 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 coming from the offensive glass, during his senior year at Auburn.
Shot-Blocking Center
Omoruyi is the best defensive player among the trio of centers.
The Nigerian center averaged a career-best 2.9 blocks, 10.4 points and 8.3 rebounds during the 2023-24 season, his final year at Rutgers. This past season, the 23-year-old big man posted 7.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in a lesser role for Alabama.
NBA Draft Room described Omoruyi as a “super raw prospect” but has a chance to develop into a big time center in the pros because of his “elite physical tools.”
All three centers are not projected to be selected based on the ESPN’s NBA Mock Draft.
