The Los Angeles Lakers enter the offseason with several burning questions, but none bigger than how they will address their glaring need for a center. When Rob Pelinka traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Dončić, he accepted that the move left the team without a legitimate big man.
The Lakers initially struck a deal with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams but later rescinded it due to health concerns. Despite earning the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, JJ Redick’s squad had its biggest weakness exposed by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. The lack of a true post presence caught up to them on both ends of the court.
The front office knows Jaxson Hayes isn’t the answer. With a weak free agent class looming, the Lakers may instead scour the trade market for a center who can complement Dončić and LeBron James’ strengths. Here are five players Los Angeles should target this offseason.
5 Possible Center Trade Targets for the Los Angeles Lakers
Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner will become a free agent this summer, but he makes this list as a potential sign-and-trade candidate. The two-time NBA blocks leader is in a strong position with the Indiana Pacers, who are contending for an NBA Finals spot. Reports suggest Turner is eager to re-sign with Indiana. However, the Mavericks already proved that any player can be had for the right price.
Turner will enter his 11th NBA season as a consistent contributor. He’s been a double-digit scorer every year. While not a high-volume rebounder or especially physical, he remains a strong rim protector — something the Lakers desperately need.
Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks during the regular season. He has continued to flash his shot-blocking ability in the playoffs, averaging 2.5 blocks per game. He can also stretch the floor, unlike what Los Angeles’ current bigs offer. Turner has been elite in that regard this season, shooting 39.6% from deep in the regular season and 45% in the playoffs.
Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
Few teams were more efficient defensively than the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. Their 110.7 defensive rating ranked fifth in the NBA during the regular season. Jarrett Allen played an integral role in the team’s success on that end of the floor.
Allen had the 10th-best individual defensive rating in the league (108.1) and the eighth-most defensive win shares (4.0). Despite posting one of the lowest block totals of his career, he’s still known as one of the better rim protectors in the game. On offense, Allen made strides. He averaged 13.5 points per game and shot a career-high 70.6% from the field.
Similar to Turner and the Pacers, it may be difficult for Cleveland to part ways with a player who was a major part of their success. The Cavaliers were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and even though they suffered an earlier exit than anticipated, the team is in a prime position to contend again in 2025.
Allen also signed a three-year, $91 million extension last July, which suggests the Cavs want him as part of their future. Still, the Lakers have to inquire.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
This may be the most unlikely option on this list. However, Rob Pelinka and the Lakers would be remiss not to explore every avenue. Jaren Jackson Jr. has been a steady contributor for the Memphis Grizzlies since getting drafted with the fourth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, and his role has continued to increase over the years.
Jackson posted the highest usage rate of his career in 2023 (29%) and followed it up with 26.4% this season, according to Cleaning the Glass. The Michigan State product is a legitimate scoring post threat with range. He averaged just over 22 points per game for the second straight season. Jackson was second on the team in scoring, right behind Ja Morant. He was very efficient, shooting 48.8% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc.
Improvements to Jackson’s offensive game make him that much more desirable as a trade prospect because he’s already known as an elite defender. He’s a two-time blocks champ, a two-time All-Defensive Team selection, and he took home Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. At 25 years old, Jackson is one of the best young bigs in the NBA, and the West is already challenging enough. Any deal for him would have to include Austin Reaves.
Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
Nic Claxton is one of the centers most commonly linked to the Lakers as a potential offseason trade target. The 26-year-old Brooklyn Nets big man inked a four-year, $97 million contract extension and is set to carry a cap hit of $25.3 million for the 2025 season. With three years left on his deal, the Lakers wouldn’t have to worry about locking him down long term.
Claxton is a rim-runner who could be an ideal lob threat for Dončić. The Lakers were interested in him at the trade deadline after acquiring Dončić for that exact reason. Claxton is also a defensive-oriented center who could be an anchor for the Lakers in the paint. He averaged 1.4 blocks per game this season (10th in the NBA). He also had a defensive box plus/minus of 1.5 (19th).
While Claxton doesn’t exactly strike fear in opponents on offense, he won’t be asked to create often with Dončić and LeBron James on the floor. The Nets are the perfect trade partner because they are far from contending for anything besides a lottery pick. Brooklyn may value him, but the Lakers may be able to put together an enticing enough package around a young offensive threat like Dalton Knecht.
Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks
The Lakers and the Mavericks have already done good business (depending on who you ask). The rapport between Pelinka and Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison helped facilitate the Dončić-Anthony Davis swap. It’s not a far-fetched idea that the two sides could strike another deal.
Daniel Gafford is likely one of Dončić’s preferred trade targets due to their familiarity with one another. The two played together in Dallas in 2023, and Gafford posted a career-high 11.2 points per game before averaging 12.3 this season. The former Arkansas Razorbacks standout is an elite finisher at the rim and a formidable shot-blocker (1.8 blocks per game).
Dallas is set to welcome Cooper Flagg after landing the No. 1 pick. With Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington also on the roster, the frontcourt is getting a bit crowded. This could be the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to get their new superstar a big man he trusts and has proven production with. Considering how they landed Dončić, L.A. might be able to get him for a bargain.
