Why the Lakers Are Running Workouts on Skyy Clark and Trey Kaufman-Renn: A Late-Pick Strategy to Win Now

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. Why the Lakers Are Hunting Late-Round and Undrafted Talent
4. Skyy Clark: A 3-and-Handle Prospect Who Fits a Specific Role
5. Trey Kaufman-Renn: Size, Rebounding and Late-Game Toughness
6. The Mechanics of Pre-Draft Workouts and What Teams Evaluate
7. Tony Bennett’s Role: Defensive Judgment and Player Character
8. The Lakers’ Roster Needs and How Clark and Kaufman-Renn Fit
9. Undrafted Success Stories: History and the Odds
10. How the Summer League, G League and Two-Way System Create Pathways
11. Risk-Reward Calculus: Why Late-Stage Scouting Matters
12. What to Expect Next: Process and Timing
13. Real-World Comparisons: How Other Franchises Exploit Late Picks
14. Evaluating the Odds: What Would Success Look Like?
15. What This Means for the Lakers’ Championship Window
16. Closing Assessment
17. FAQ

Key Highlights

• The Lakers, holding a late pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, have intensified pre-draft workouts—targeting shooters and rebounders who could be signed as undrafted free agents or two-way players.
• Skyy Clark (UCLA) offers elite perimeter shooting and ball handling; Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue) brings size, rebounding and interior toughness—both fit the profile of low-risk, high-upside additions who can contribute immediately in a playoff-focused rotation.

Introduction

Teams chasing championships rarely rely solely on lottery picks. The roster margins—rotational depth, 3-and-D wing options, offensive spacing and offensive rebounders—often determine postseason outcomes. The Los Angeles Lakers have acknowledged this reality by leaning into a thorough pre-draft process: hiring a seasoned college coach as a draft advisor, running a long list of workouts and scouting prospects who project as late selections or undrafted signings. Two names recently reported to have worked out for the Lakers, Skyy Clark and Trey Kaufman-Renn, illustrate the precise type of players franchises target when the goal is to add immediate, specialized value without sacrificing roster flexibility.

The dynamics here matter. Teams with championship windows treat late draft capital differently than rebuilding franchises. They look for players who can fill clear, short-term needs while offering long-term upside. The Lakers’ approach signals intent: supplementing star-level talent with complementary pieces through meticulous scouting rather than speculative swing-for-the-fence drafting.

Why the Lakers Are Hunting Late-Round and Undrafted Talent

Teams with established cores and limited draft capital must extract value from the draft's margins. A late first-round slot or a second-round position rarely yields high-impact stars, but it can produce role players who influence playoff series. Front offices respond by widening their search: intensive individual workouts, leveraging veteran advisors, and investing in analytics to isolate traits—shooting efficiency, defensive instincts, rebounding rates, and turnover control—that translate seamlessly to NBA rotations.

The Lakers' roster construction provides the context. A frontcourt anchored by star-level players requires reliable floor spacing and bench ball-handling to maintain offensive balance when starters rest. That need elevates shooters who can operate off screens and guards who minimize turnovers. Parallel to spacing, every playoff roster needs rebounders who can secure offensive boards and contest second-chance opportunities. Those two skill sets—3-point shooting and interior rebound violence—are precisely the profiles Skyy Clark and Trey Kaufman-Renn display.

The value of such additions is twofold. First, they are low-cost, low-commitment moves if they come as undrafted free-agent signings or two-way contracts. Second, they provide roster insurance: a single bench player can swing a close series by hitting timely threes or cleaning the glass. The Lakers’ recent history offers a template: after going undrafted, a role player can be signed, developed and turned into a rotational contributor. That pathway is both economical and team-friendly in cap and roster management terms.

Scouting for the margins demands different metrics than lottery scouting. Rather than projecting ceiling potential based on upside and athletic tools, evaluators look for repeatable skills and positional fit. Percentage shooting, contested rebound rates, box-out competency, and on-ball decision-making matter more than vertical leap or raw speed. Workouts often focus on shooting drills, pick-and-roll reads, closeout defense and situational rebounding—practical tests that mirror bench responsibilities.

Skyy Clark: A 3-and-Handle Prospect Who Fits a Specific Role

Skyy Clark spent his final two collegiate seasons at UCLA, posting numbers that caught an NBA team's eye: 11.5 points per game in his senior year paired with a 42.7% mark from beyond the arc. Those figures reveal more than scoring: they signal efficiency and floor-stretching capability—two ingredients teams covet for end-of-bench guards in a playoff rotation.

Why would a team pursue Clark as an undrafted target rather than a draft-day pick? Mock drafts and consensus boards sometimes undervalue specialists who lack elite athletic traits or defensive versatility. Yet those are precisely the players who can thrive in limited roles. A 42.7% 3-point shooter on catch-and-shoot attempts or in pull-up situations reduces defensive clutter for star players and forces opponents to adjust coverage. For a roster with established primary creators, a guard who can get into open spots and convert with high efficiency is a multiplier.

Clark’s ball-handling, mentioned in reports, matters in the Lakers’ context. When starters rest, bench units often rely on secure ball-handlers to run offense against compressed defenses. Turnover control is crucial; a guard who can manage the clock, navigate pressure and deliver open looks stabilizes second-unit play. In addition, proficiency in late-clock situations—setting up teammates with screens, probing closeouts, and attacking closeouts—elevates a prospects’ appeal beyond raw shooting numbers.

The path from an undrafted shooter to a contributor includes stages the Lakers are well-equipped to offer. Summer League often serves as the proving ground: players showcase range, composure and the ability to adapt to professional spacing and pace. From there, training camp or two-way deals provide structured development. Teams with veteran leadership and an emphasis on shooting mechanics can accelerate the transition from college role player to NBA specialist.

Real-world parallels underscore what Clark could become. Consider the way several NBA benches have been reshaped by undrafted or late-rookie shooters who arrived with high percentages and then adapted to the pro game. Fred VanVleet, though not a pure shooter, entered the league undrafted and became a reliable secondary playmaker who exploited a niche role. Austin Reaves, cited by the source as a Lakers success story, illustrates a direct organizational precedent: a low-profile college guard signed after the draft who evolved into a key rotation presence. Those cases highlight a consistent principle: a repeatable skill performed in the right context can convert into an NBA career.

For evaluators, the key questions about Clark include: Can he maintain shooting efficiency off the catch under NBA closeouts? Can he defend adequately to avoid negative minutes? How does he perform in pick-and-roll continuity and in off-ball movement? How adaptable is his handle against professional pressure? The Lakers’ workout would aim to answer these points through situational drills and competitive scrimmages.

Trey Kaufman-Renn: Size, Rebounding and Late-Game Toughness

Trey Kaufman-Renn presents a different profile: a collegiate forward who finished his final season at Purdue averaging 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds. Those numbers communicate consistent interior production and a nose for the ball. Moreover, Kaufman-Renn produced standout moments—19 points and 18 rebounds against Oklahoma, including seven offensive boards, and a memorable NCAA tournament tip-in that propelled Purdue to the Elite Eight. Those flashes of physicality and timing are valuable in playoff lineups that prize second-chance points.

For teams with championship aspirations, rebounding and physicality are non-negotiable. Bench lineups often struggle to match the bruising minutes of opponent second units. A forward who can crash the glass, finish around the rim and defend the post relieves pressure on starters and generates momentum-shifting possessions. Kaufman-Renn’s statistical profile implies an ability to do just that.

Beyond raw numbers, context matters: where does Kaufman-Renn get his rebounds? Offensive rebounds require anticipation, positioning and willingness to mix it up in traffic. Defensive rebounds demand box-out discipline and pursuit. Scouts watch film to see whether a player's rebounding results from sheer hustle, superior positioning, or athletic advantage. The Oklahoma game suggests Kaufman-Renn combines aggression with craft—he’s not simply a leaper but someone who times runs and pursues loose balls.

The tip-in in a tournament moment reveals another quality: poise. Late-game situational awareness and the ability to execute under pressure often translate into late-season and playoff reliability. Teams with limited draft capital prize players who can provide those moments without requiring large developmental timelines.

Potential concerns for Kaufman-Renn include lateral quickness against switch-heavy defenses, perimeter guard defending, and stretchability—can he step out and space the floor, or is his value confined to interior actions? The modern NBA emphasizes versatile forwards who can guard pick-and-rolls and stretch defenses with shooting. If Kaufman-Renn projects primarily as a rebound-first forward, his path to minutes will depend on whether a team accepts his role as a specialized frontline sub rather than a multi-positional wing.

Workouts test the specifics: defensive slides, closeouts to three-point shooters, pick-and-roll recovery speed, and finishing at the rim against contact. For a late-pick or undrafted prospect, demonstrating immediate competency in a few key floor areas—offensive rebounding, high-energy defense, reliable finishing in the paint—can be the decisive factor in earning a roster spot.

The Mechanics of Pre-Draft Workouts and What Teams Evaluate

Workouts are microcosms of a team's immediate needs. They are not just measures of athleticism; they are non-stop exams in fit, temperament and carryover potential. Teams like the Lakers put prospects through bespoke sequences designed to reveal repeatable skills rather than isolated athletic flashes.

Shooting drills replicate catch-and-shoot, off-screen curling, and pull-up situations. For guards, ball-handling drills emphasize pick-and-roll reads, pocket passing and turnover avoidance. For forwards, on-court testing focuses on closeout efficiency, defensive rotations, and rebound positioning. Beyond physical drills, interviews and basketball IQ tests are integral—front offices want to ensure a prospect's mentality aligns with coaching expectations.

Scouts and directors of player personnel track a range of metrics during workouts:

• Shooting split rates under timed and contested situations.
• Turnover-to-assist ratio in controlled scrimmages.
• Rebounding rates relative to box-outs and positioning.
• Defensive reaction time in closeouts and help rotations.
• Competitive grit: how a player responds to physicality and coaching corrections.

Two-way contracts and Exhibit 10 deals provide teams with a low-risk path to keep prospects close to the organization while allowing further evaluation. A two-way deal enables a player to split time between the NBA and G League, while an Exhibit 10 contract can convert to a G League bonus if the player reports, giving teams control without using guaranteed cap space.

Every workout also serves as a market signal. Teams often share information on prospects implicitly through workouts and interviews; a strong showing can attract multiple offers, increasing a player's leverage in negotiations. For teams, the benefit of running many workouts is not only to find fits but also to prevent rivals from finding cheap solutions.

Tony Bennett’s Role: Defensive Judgment and Player Character

The Lakers' hiring of former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as a draft advisor introduces a layer of evaluative expertise—particularly on defense, spacing and player temperament. Bennett’s teams at Virginia were known for disciplined defense, sound rotations and meticulous execution. That eye for defensive acumen helps identify prospects who might lack star-level athleticism but possess instincts, positioning and effort—traits that matter in playoff basketball.

Draft advisors with long coaching backgrounds bring more than schematic knowledge. They have coached against varied styles, developed players with limited athleticism into specialists, and prioritized coachability—all crucial for late-draft prospects who must transition quickly. Evaluating character, ability to accept defined roles, and responsiveness to coaching can be the difference between a roster cut and a developmental success.

A coach like Bennett also understands systems that demand discipline. If the Lakers seek players who can function within defined offensive and defensive frameworks, his input on who can reliably execute pick-and-roll coverage, box out consistently and hit spot-up threes becomes valuable. The emphasis is not on projection alone; it's on immediate trustworthiness in rotation minutes.

This move ties into a broader trend: front offices balancing analytical evaluation with seasoned coaching judgment. Analytics can highlight inefficiencies and traits, but experienced coaches translate those traits into role forecasts. The hybrid approach—analytics plus coaching insight—improves the odds of identifying late-round or undrafted contributors.

The Lakers’ Roster Needs and How Clark and Kaufman-Renn Fit

Analyzing fit requires a candid view of the roster. Championship-caliber teams typically carry a tight rotation: starters who log 30-plus minutes and bench pieces who provide specific punch. The most valuable bench players have clear, repeatable contributions: shooting that spaces the floor, defense that holds opponents, or rebounding that creates extra possessions. Both Clark and Kaufman-Renn match those archetypes.

Skyy Clark: As a perimeter shooter and ball-handler, Clark would fit as a secondary or tertiary ball-handler who prioritizes shooting and ball security. He can step into second-unit lineups where the primary creator is a starting star, converting open looks and making high-percentage decisions. His presence would allow the Lakers to stagger minutes without sacrificing spacing.

Trey Kaufman-Renn: He offers interior toughness and rebounding. In playoff scenarios, where physicality increases and second-chance points swing momentum, a bench rebounder who attacks the glass can be worth significant minutes. Kaufman-Renn could anchor small-ball big roles, safeguard defensive glass, and provide finishers around rolling plays.

Both players would also enhance practice competitiveness. Depth players who bring specific skills raise the level of daily work, forcing starters to prepare for situational matchups. That intangible helps during long regular seasons and prepares rotations for playoff variability.

An important nuance: fit is not only about skill overlap but also developmental runway. The Lakers must decide whether they prefer immediate impact or long-term upside. For late picks, the former often dominates. A two-way or Exhibit 10 route gives the organization controlled time to evaluate and integrate without long-term commitments.

Undrafted Success Stories: History and the Odds

Undrafted players have repeatedly reshaped rosters. Some become All-Stars, others carve out enduring careers as role players. The path is difficult but not rare enough to be dismissed. Examples illustrate the range of outcomes:

• Fred VanVleet: Undrafted in 2016, VanVleet became a top-shelf point guard who led playoff scoring on the Toronto Raptors and earned All-NBA consideration. His growth underscores the impact of opportunity, fit and development.
• Ben Wallace: Undrafted in 1996, Wallace became a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and a Hall of Famer, illustrating the extreme end of an undrafted ascent driven by defensive mastery and determination.
• Udonis Haslem: A 2002 undrafted player who became a veteran presence and team leader for championship teams.
• Austin Reaves: Cited in the original source as a Lakers’ undrafted success, Reaves demonstrates how organizational fit and trust can quickly elevate a player from obscurity to rotation minutes.

These outcomes indicate that undrafted prospects present asymmetric upside; their relative market inefficiency means teams can capture value cheaply. At the same time, the majority of undrafted players do not make enduring impacts. The distinguishing factors are opportunity, fit, player adaptability, and coaching.

Teams that identify and sign undrafted prospects often commit organizational resources to their development—G League minutes with structured coaching, individualized skill work, and careful minutes management. That environment accelerates growth and increases the likelihood of successful transitions.

How the Summer League, G League and Two-Way System Create Pathways

A prospect’s journey typically flows through several stages: Summer League, training camp, possible two-way contracts, and G League seasoning. The Summer League is the first public audition—prospects show how their college skills transfer in a faster, more spaced professional setting. Strong showings can secure training camp invites or two-way offers.

Two-way contracts allow teams to develop players while managing roster spots. Players can oscillate between the NBA and G League, gaining NBA minutes during injuries or tactical rotations. Exhibit 10 contracts also serve as conversion tools—if a player signs and then joins the team’s G League affiliate, a bonus incentivizes that route, keeping promising talent within the organization’s developmental umbrella.

Teams that excel at converting undrafted and late-round talents share common practices:

• Clear developmental pathways and aligned G League systems.
• Frequent and targeted feedback loops between NBA and G League coaches.
• Spot minutes in low-leverage NBA games to build confidence.
• A focus on niche skill enhancement (e.g., pick-and-roll defense, off-ball shooting).

If the Lakers sign Clark or Kaufman-Renn as undrafted additions, those pathways would likely be employed. Watching how an organization structures those steps tells a lot about its commitment to maximizing low-cost roster assets.

Risk-Reward Calculus: Why Late-Stage Scouting Matters

Late-stage scouting is fundamentally a risk-reward exercise. A guaranteed contract for a late first-round pick carries more financial and roster commitment than an Exhibit 10 deal. Teams must balance the potential of a player exceeding expectations against the opportunity cost of using roster spots and guaranteed money.

For the Lakers, the calculus is pragmatic: their championship window pressures them to avoid long-term developmental gambles that might cost flexibility. Targeting players like Clark and Kaufman-Renn allows a low-cost, high-probability approach: add specialists who can contribute or be shifted without major cap implications.

Organizational culture plays a role. Some teams prefer to take swings on raw, high-ceiling players even in late picks, while others prefer ready-now specialists. The Lakers’ recent actions—bringing in a veteran coach as an advisor and running extensive workouts—signal a bias toward predictable, role-driven signings.

The lens through which teams evaluate these prospects includes the modern game’s metrics: true shooting, effective field goal percentage (especially on threes and rim attempts), rebound rates, and turnover percentages. A player who tests well in these measures while demonstrating coachability represents a disproportionately favorable bet.

What to Expect Next: Process and Timing

After a workout, the next steps typically include follow-up interviews, monitoring for medical and workout follow-through, and potential invites to the team’s pre-draft camp or training camp. Summer League assignments usually appear soon after the draft. For players who garner interest but are not drafted, the strategic window is immediate: teams move quickly to sign undrafted free agents to prevent rival offers.

If Clark and Kaufman-Renn impressed, they could be targeted for two-way deals, Exhibit 10 slots, or Summer League rosters. Those contracts preserve flexibility for both player and team, creating a low-risk runway for development while keeping options open depending on season dynamics—injuries, trades, or in-season performance fluctuations.

From the organizational perspective, running workouts on multiple similar prospects is also insurance. One player may test poorly in the controlled environment; another may emerge as a clearer fit. The depth of the 2026 draft—described as one of the deepest in recent memory—makes this competitive market even more fluid. Teams that do thorough groundwork increase their chances of capitalizing on the draft's margins.

Real-World Comparisons: How Other Franchises Exploit Late Picks

Successful exploitation of late picks and undrafted markets often hinges on system alignment. Consider the following organizational models:

• The Spurs Model: A global scouting network, a consistent developmental system and long-term coaching philosophy allowed San Antonio to identify and polish undervalued players who fit team culture.
• The Raptors Model: Toronto turned undrafted and late picks into core rotation pieces by blending analytics with structured G League development and clearly defined offensive roles.
• Denver’s Approach: By prioritizing player development and focusing on role-defined skills (e.g., shooting, defensive instincts), Denver created value from late-draft assets.

The Lakers, given their resource base and veteran core, need a hybrid approach: quick-turn additions that fit immediate needs, with a development plan for those who show longer-term promise. That mix maximizes present competitiveness without mortgaging future flexibility.

Evaluating the Odds: What Would Success Look Like?

Success for the Lakers in this late-draft scouting process would look like one of several outcomes:

• A player signs on an Exhibit 10 or two-way deal, shows reliability in G League play and earns NBA minutes by midseason, contributing in situational roles (floor spacing, rebounding, defensive switch coverage).
• A player converts a Summer League breakout into a guaranteed training camp spot and wins rotational minutes by the regular-season end.
• The organization identifies a cost-effective contributor who can be signed or traded as a rotation asset, increasing roster flexibility.

Each outcome provides tangible benefits: improved bench efficiency, a player who can handle specific in-game moments, or tradeable assets that enhance roster maneuverability.

Failure is possible: neither player secures a long-term role, or they struggle to adapt to NBA spacing and speed. Even then, the organizational cost is minimal if signings are structured prudently.

What This Means for the Lakers’ Championship Window

The Lakers’ approach demonstrates an acknowledgment that championships are won deep into rotations. Adding versatile bench pieces—whether through the draft, undrafted signings or smart veteran pickups—supports star-level performances while protecting against fatigue and injury. A team that consistently extracts late-value players gains both short-term depth and a long-term pipeline of role talent.

A measured scouting and development strategy can rotate the roster effectively, keep core minutes optimized, and deliver situational advantages in playoff series. Skyy Clark’s shooting and Trey Kaufman-Renn’s rebounding would, individually and together, reinforce those goals by addressing two persistent needs: floor spacing and second-chance points.

Closing Assessment

The Lakers’ workouts of Skyy Clark and Trey Kaufman-Renn reflect a strategic, pragmatic use of late-draft resources. Rather than betting on speculative upside with limited picks, the organization appears to be identifying well-defined skill sets that complement a championship-ready roster. If signed and developed correctly, players of these profiles can swing close games and provide the margin of improvement that separates contenders from pretenders.

The process ahead—Summer League showings, training camp evaluations and potential two-way development—will be decisive. For the Lakers, the guiding principle is clear: maximize the value of marginal picks through precise scouting and disciplined development, turning economical gambles into roster stability and playoff advantages.

FAQ

Q: Why would the Lakers target undrafted players instead of trading for veterans? A: Undrafted players and late-round signings are low-cost, flexible options that carry minimal long-term financial commitment. Veterans often demand guaranteed contracts and can limit roster flexibility. For teams aiming to preserve cap space or reserve spots for midseason maneuvering, pursuing undrafted talent provides depth at a fraction of the cost and risk.

Q: How likely is it that Skyy Clark or Trey Kaufman-Renn make the Lakers roster? A: Odds depend on performance in Summer League, training camp fit, and how well their skills translate against professional competition. Clark’s elite shooting percentage and ball-handling make him a strong candidate for a bench-shooting role if he defends adequately and maintains efficiency under NBA closeouts. Kaufman-Renn’s rebounding and physicality could earn him minutes as a situational frontcourt sub, particularly in matchups requiring extra interior toughness. The majority of undrafted players face long odds, but organizational fit and opportunity can significantly improve those odds.

Q: What does Tony Bennett bring as a draft advisor? A: Tony Bennett brings evaluative experience rooted in disciplined defensive systems, player development and schematic understanding. His perspective emphasizes fundamentals, positioning and player temperament—traits that matter for prospects expected to contribute quickly and fit a coach-led rotation.

Q: What contracts might the Lakers offer these players? A: Typical approaches include Exhibit 10 deals, two-way contracts, or Summer League invites leading to training camp spots. Exhibit 10 contracts can convert to G League bonuses, while two-way deals allow split time between NBA and G League and provide a structured development path.

Q: How do these types of players change playoff rotations? A: Specialists—shooters or rebounders—offer matchup-specific value. A 3-point shooter extends defenses and reduces double-teams, improving starters’ efficiency. A rebound-first forward minimizes second-chance points for opponents and creates extra possessions. In close playoff series, those nuances can determine outcomes.

Q: Are there recent Lakers examples of undrafted success? A: Austin Reaves, who joined the Lakers after going undrafted, developed into a rotation player through organizational support, demonstrating the franchise’s ability to identify and cultivate late-market talent.

Q: If the Lakers don’t sign these players, will other teams? A: Yes. A strong workout or Summer League showing can attract multiple teams. Organizations that prioritize development and have available roster flexibility often pursue promising undrafted prospects quickly.

Q: What should fans watch for over the next months? A: Monitor Summer League assignments, training camp invites and contract announcements immediately after the draft. Watch for two-way signings or Exhibit 10 deals, and track G League performances that may indicate a player’s readiness for NBA minutes.