The Lakers searching for a star center to help LeBron James and Luka Dončić on the court is not a new challenge. The Anthony Davis trade is still haunting them, as the James-Dončić duo often fails to perform to the best of their ability because of the lack of a true center.
Their NBA Draft didn’t go as expected, as they failed to pick up any center. Now, they’re back to exploring trade options this offseason. Early reports claim that Nic Claxton and Robert Williams III are two names the Lakers are keeping on their radar. If they fail to trade for either, they also have three backup plans.
Lakers Insider Reveals 3 Free Agent Centers the Team May Possibly Pursue
The Lakers had their eyes on Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton in the 2025 NBA Draft. He was seen as an ideal piece to fill the hole in the frontcourt. However, the Charlotte Hornets selected him at No. 34 overall, just before the Lakers could make a move.
They’re still in need of help at center, and Claxton and Williams III remain trade targets, according to an ESPN source. However, there’s no guarantee the Lakers can land either one. Limited cap space makes any move uncertain.
According to @mcten, Nic Claxton and Robert Williams are two centers the Lakers are considering as trade targets (https://t.co/ixrLPez4m8…). The team also explored a deal for Walker Kessler, but Utah’s asking price is deemed too steep. pic.twitter.com/KJvK29fkHe
— DTLF (@DantheLakersFAN) June 28, 2025
Reports claim that the team is eyeing three veteran big men in free agency as alternatives: Clint Capela, Al Horford, and Brook Lopez.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, these three are among the Lakers’ top free-agent targets. With the taxpayer mid-level exception (around $5 million) available, LA is expected to pursue short-term, high-impact options to fill the void left by Davis’ departure.
Lopez remains one of the league’s best rim protectors and stretch bigs. The 5-time All-Star averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last season while shooting 37.3% from three at age 37.
Capela is considered a traditional rim-runner, posting 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game last season. A left hand injury in mid-March caused Atlanta’s big man to miss the remainder of the season.
Horford is an NBA champion, but at 39 years old, he isn’t a long-term solution. However, he holds a 50.9% career field goal percentage and shot an impressive 89.5% from the free-throw line last season. His numbers show he’s still a viable backup option.
Due to their age, all of these players are considered short-term fixes. The Lakers’ front office is still working through trade ideas for younger centers with more upside, like Claxton and Williams III.
