Los Angeles Lakers Bet on Giant Potential in 2025 NBA Draft: Rocco Zikarsky, 7’3″ Centre, Selected in the Second Round; Unique Long-Term Project Raises Questions About Franchise’s Strategy and Emphasis on Height

The 2025 NBA Draft delivered its fair share of intrigue, but few picks generated as much conversation and confusion as the Los Angeles Lakers’ second-round selection of Rocco Zikarsky, a towering 7-foot-3 center from Australia. A name relatively unknown to the casual basketball fan, Zikarsky represents a departure from the franchise’s recent trend of favoring more NBA-ready talent in the draft. At just 19 years old, the Australian big man brings an extraordinary physical profile to the table—massive height, impressive wingspan, a developing touch, and defensive instincts that hint at something special if everything comes together. But therein lies the gamble. The Lakers’ decision to use their second-round pick on a long-term project has raised eyebrows across the league, especially considering the team’s timeline revolving around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Zikarsky’s selection is a reminder that the Lakers are not just thinking about the present—they’re making a calculated bet on the future, albeit one that could either age brilliantly or be remembered as a baffling miss.

Zikarsky’s path to the NBA isn’t the typical story. He didn’t attend a major U.S. college program. Instead, his development took place within the Australian basketball pipeline, particularly under the nurturing of the NBA Global Academy. There, scouts took notice of his raw potential. With an outrageous standing reach and nimble footwork for someone his size, Zikarsky often looked like a cheat code on defense. His ability to alter shots at the rim, cover ground in pick-and-roll coverage, and rebound with authority stood out. However, the offensive side of his game remains very much a work in progress. His mechanics at the free throw line suggest untapped shooting potential, and he has shown occasional touch on short hook shots and elbow jumpers. Yet his scoring is inconsistent, and he lacks the physicality to dominate the paint offensively the way other high-profile centers do. In today’s NBA, where centers are expected to stretch the floor or be elite finishers in the pick-and-roll, Zikarsky remains unrefined in both areas.

Still, the Lakers weren’t deterred. Their front office, led by General Manager Rob Pelinka, emphasized that Zikarsky wasn’t selected to contribute immediately but rather to become a foundational piece over time. Given his unique physical tools, Zikarsky is not the type of prospect franchises typically find available in the second round. While many teams passed on him due to concerns about his readiness and lack of high-level competition experience, the Lakers saw something else entirely. They saw a potential defensive anchor, a Rudy Gobert-type force who, if coached and developed correctly, could change the geometry of the court. And that is what makes this pick so interesting—the balance between immense promise and glaring uncertainty.

From a strategic standpoint, this pick raises broader questions about the Lakers’ organizational priorities. For years, the team has operated in “win-now” mode. LeBron James’ presence guarantees that, and the addition of Anthony Davis several years ago further solidified that championship-centric approach. The last few drafts saw the Lakers taking more polished prospects—players who could step in and at least fill a rotation role within a year or two. The Zikarsky pick flies in the face of that pattern. He is unlikely to see meaningful NBA minutes for at least another two seasons. That timeline doesn’t sync with the prime of James or Davis. So why make the move? Some league observers believe this pick reflects the Lakers hedging their bets. They understand that James’ time is finite and that Davis’ injury history adds long-term uncertainty. Investing in someone like Zikarsky gives them a potential building block for the next era of Lakers basketball, one that might not be anchored by superstar free-agent signings but rather by homegrown talent.

It’s also a signal that the Lakers remain enamored with height, a theme that has appeared throughout their draft history. From Magic Johnson’s era to Shaquille O’Neal, Andrew Bynum, and more recently Davis, the franchise has often looked toward dominant big men as central figures. The modern NBA has evolved to favor versatility, shooting, and switchability, yet the Lakers continue to place value on size and rim protection. Zikarsky embodies that philosophy in its most extreme form. At 7-foot-3, he immediately becomes one of the tallest players in the NBA. His height alone will afford him opportunities to contribute defensively, even if his offensive game takes longer to develop. That said, being tall doesn’t guarantee success. The list of 7-footers who failed to make an impact in the NBA is long and cautionary. What separates stars from busts at that size is usually basketball IQ, foot speed, adaptability, and injury resistance. These are areas Zikarsky must prove himself in, and only time will tell if he has what it takes to transcend the usual limitations of giants.

In the short term, Zikarsky is expected to spend significant time with the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G-League affiliate. There, he will be tasked with learning the nuances of NBA defensive schemes, improving his conditioning, and sharpening his offensive instincts. Reports suggest the Lakers plan to implement a personalized development program, complete with weight training, nutrition guidance, and extensive on-court drills tailored to maximize his unique build. This is a clear indication that the franchise is playing the long game. They are not merely drafting a player—they are investing in a process, one that could yield a high-upside rotational player or possibly even more. But the risks remain enormous. If Zikarsky struggles to adjust to the speed and physicality of NBA-level competition, or if injuries rear their head—as they so often do with players his size—the Lakers could find themselves having squandered a valuable opportunity to draft a more NBA-ready contributor.

There is also the question of optics. A team like the Lakers is always under the microscope. Every move they make is dissected in real time by fans, analysts, and former players alike. Selecting Zikarsky invites scrutiny because it’s not a conventional Lakers move. It doesn’t satisfy the immediate hunger of a championship-chasing fan base. It doesn’t come with highlight tapes or college accolades. Instead, it invites patience in a city that rarely tolerates it. That dynamic could create pressure not just on Zikarsky, but also on the Lakers’ front office, especially if more seasoned prospects picked later in the draft begin to flourish elsewhere. This is a pick that will need to be judged years down the road, but in the high-stakes world of the Lakers, long-term projects are often evaluated through short-term lenses.

One can’t overlook the international angle, either. The NBA’s globalization over the past two decades has changed how talent is scouted and evaluated. Players like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Wembanyama have proven that international prospects—especially those with unique builds and skill sets—can redefine the game. While Zikarsky is nowhere near that tier of potential right now, he fits the mold of a player whose value might have been underrated due to limited exposure. The Lakers might be hoping that, like the Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks before them, they can strike gold by thinking differently about where and how elite talent can emerge.

Zikarsky himself seems keenly aware of the opportunity in front of him. In interviews following the draft, he expressed gratitude for the Lakers’ belief in his potential and a clear understanding of the work ahead. His demeanor is serious, his answers deliberate, and his commitment to improvement evident. He knows that he’s not a finished product. He knows that the road to meaningful NBA minutes will be long and winding. But he also knows that he has a chance to be part of something greater. The Lakers, for their part, appear willing to give him the runway he needs to get there.

All of this paints a picture of a franchise at a crossroads—one foot in the present, the other reaching toward a future that might look very different. By drafting Zikarsky, the Lakers have essentially said that they are willing to take the long view. They are willing to accept uncertainty today for the possibility of a reward tomorrow. Whether that bet pays off remains to be seen. Zikarsky’s success will depend on many variables—his health, his adaptability, his commitment to development, and perhaps most crucially, the organization’s willingness to nurture him patiently. The NBA is not kind to projects that don’t produce within a limited window, and the Lakers’ history shows a preference for proven talent over speculative development.

But every once in a while, franchises have to zig when others zag. Zikarsky represents that zig. He is an outlier in almost every way—a 7-foot-3 teenager from the Southern Hemisphere, drafted by one of the league’s most storied franchises, expected to carry the weight of potential more than performance. If he becomes the player the Lakers envision, this pick could be remembered as a masterstroke. If not, it will be another chapter in the long book of draft-day what-ifs. For now, Rocco Zikarsky stands as the embodiment of potential—massive, raw, and filled with uncertainty. Whether he transforms that potential into production is a question that only time can answer. The Lakers, for better or worse, have chosen to find out.