It was a busy second round of the NBA draft for the Los Angeles Lakers who made multiple trades. Additionally, the Lakers were quick to act following the draft to land one of the most coveted undrafted players.
Los Angeles added an elite scorer and one of the stars of college basketball last season. Former Villanova standout forward Eric Dixon is joining the Lakers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Dixon led all of college basketball in scoring during the 2024-25 season by averaging an impressive 23.3 points per game.
“Villanova star Eric Dixon has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN,” Charania detailed in a June 26, 2025, message on X. “Dixon was the No. 1 scorer in college basketball last season, shooting 41% from 3-point range.”
The Lakers Moved Up 19 Spots in the Second Round Through 2 NBA Draft Trades
It was an eventful second round for the Lakers who started the day by moving up ten spots in the second round. Los Angeles initially moved up from No. 55 to No. 45 by striking a trade with the Chicago Bulls.
This was not high enough for general manager Rob Pelinka who moved up an additional nine slots during the second round in another trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers started the day with the No. 55 pick and ultimately selected at No. 36.
Los Angeles landed the player the team clearly was coveting in Arkanas wing Adou Thiero.
New Lakers Forward Eric Dixon Is Drawing Comparisons to Julius Randle & Glen Davis
Heading into the NBA draft, Dixon was ranked No. 46 on Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor’s big board. The analyst sees shades of Julius Randle and Glen Davis in Dixon’s game.
“Dixon is a burly forward who brings a toughness and physicality to the game,” O’Connor wrote in his pre-draft profile of Dixon. “As Villanova’s all-time leading scorer, he showed versatile scoring skills but in the NBA his lack of athleticism will put a limit on the type of usage he can receive.
“Dixon always had touch throughout college, and it finally translated beyond the arc as a super senior, making 40.7% of his 7.2 attempts per game. For NBA purposes, he’ll play off-ball a lot and he made 43.2% of catch-and-shoot 3s, per Synergy.”
The Lakers Will Look to Make More Moves When NBA Free Agency Starts on June 30
In addition to averaging 23.3 points, Dixon posted 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 40.7% from long range in 35 starts during the 2024-25 season. Dixon signed a two-way deal with Los Angeles, but will likely be competing for a roster spot in the coming months.
The Lakers will sign more undrafted players then turn their attention to true NBA free agency which begins on June 30. Los Angeles continues to be linked to veteran centers in NBA rumors.
Pelinka and the Lakers front office face an uphill battle in landing difference makers via NBA free agency. Los Angeles is over the cap and is expected to have the tax payer midlevel exception. The Lakers may need to turn to the trade market if the team hopes to add a significant piece to play alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
