After striking out on some of the top centers in free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly canvassing the trade market to address their weakness at the five spot.
LA has aggressively been seeking to fill the void left by recently traded superstar big man Anthony Davis and build out its roster around new franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić. The organization was linked to the likes of veteran big men Brook Lopez and Clint Capela entering free agency. However, Lopez and Capela agreed to deals with the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, respectively, during a hectic Day 1 of player movement.
The Lakers still have a few free-agent options, including recently bought-out 2018 No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton and battle-tested 2024 NBA champion Al Horford. However, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is now evaluating alternatives.
Lakers Targeting Athletic Young Center via Trade
On Tuesday’s edition of “NBA Today,” McMenamin outlined LA’s developing trade pursuit of a big man, including its plan to capitalize on an opposing team’s expected logjam at center.
“I spoke to a source with familiarity with what the Lakers are thinking today, and they’re weighing several trade scenarios, I’m told, to try to acquire this center,” McMenamin said. “… They are talking to a team that they think will be going after another trade, and that other trade will end up having a surplus center for that team, and then the Lakers can approach them.”
“I spoke to a source with familiarity what the Lakers are thinking today and they’re weighing several trade scenarios I’m told to try to acquire this center. I don’t have the names” – @mcten pic.twitter.com/8JQoeXgYKv
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 1, 2025
Per the Lakers insider, Lopez, a seasoned stretch five and rim protector, was among the franchise’s top offseason targets. With the 17-year veteran out of play, McMenamin added that the team has shifted its focus to younger, more versatile bigs.
“The Lakers had very keen interest in Brook Lopez,” McMenamin said. “Once he came off the board, they are shifting towards an idea, I’m told. The thesis is youth and athleticism. So, obviously, Deandre Ayton would fit that. …switchable, young defenders, multiple bodies coming at you in waves, and they are trying to achieve a center that can play that way.”
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“The Lakers had very keen interest in Lopez. Once he came off the board, I’m told the thesis is youth and athleticism. Switchable, young defenders, multiple bodies coming at you in waves and they are trying to achieve a center that can play that way”pic.twitter.com/PWykQ2A9wK
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 2, 2025
PFSN’s Andrew Melnick speculated that LA could pursue the likes of the Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler, the Phoenix Suns’ Nick Richards or the Orlando Magic’s Goga Bitadze via trade. Meanwhile, Pelinka and Co. have also been connected to the Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton, the Portland Trail Blazers’ Robert Williams and the New Orleans Pelicans’ Yves Missi.
McMenamin noted that it’s unclear which team the Lakers are already speaking with. Nevertheless, they appear to be approaching a resolution to their center woes.
