The Los Angeles Lakers hope to be very busy this offseason.
It got off to a hot start when the Buss Family sold their majority stake in the team to the CEO of Guggenheim Partners and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, signaling they will likely be even more aggressive in their pursuit of their 18th NBA title.
Superstar LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers. Although there have been rumors that James could be working on an exit from Los Angeles, that seems unlikely.
The Lakers lost Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, but have already agreed to a deal with former Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia to replace him.
Who Could the Los Angeles Lakers Target at Center?
The most glaring need for the Lakers is at center.
Despite having a 52-30 record, earning the Western Conference’s third-seed and having a ton of momentum from the Luka Dončić trade, the Lakers showed how much they missed Anthony Davis, who they dealt in the Dončić deal, and just how badly they need a big man in general.
The Lakers entered free agency with a few targets, including Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez and Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela. Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with the rival Los Angeles Clippers while Capela is reuniting with the Houston Rockets on a three-year, $21.5 million deal. The Lakers were set to meet with both players.
The Lakers will have to move on to other targets.
Free Agency Targets
Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers – This would obviously have to be a sign-and-trade as Turner, fresh off a run to the NBA Finals, is going to command a giant salary, making this a long shot for the Lakers. Turner, 29, averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 assists per game last season.
He is PFSN’s top-rated free agent.
Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers –Ayton, 26, was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. The Blazers bought him out and made him a free agent. Thus far, he seems like the most likely candidate to join the Lakers. Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 1.6 assists per game in 40 games last season.
Al Horford, Boston Celtics – Horford resurrected his career in Boston and became a key contributor to their run, which included a Championship in 2024. His veteran presence and ability to stretch the floor would make him an excellent addition.
The Celtics would like to keep Horford and the New York Knicks have been rumored to have interest. However, it is the Golden State Warriors, who many expect Horford to land with. Horford, who just turned 39, put up 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 27.7 minutes per game last season.
Moe Wagner, Orlando Magic – The Magic declined their $11 million option on Wagner but are expected to try to bring him back, wanting to keep him in the fold with his brother, star forward Franz Wagner. Wagner, a one-time Laker, is expected to have several suitors but is coming off a torn ACL. Wagner, 28, was limited to just 30 games and put up 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
Trade Targets
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz – Kessler may be the best acquisition on this list if the Lakers could pull it off, but that would be quite the chore. Kessler is just 23 years old and is still on his four-year, $13,372,418 deal. It would obviously take quite the haul to bring him in. Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.7 assists per game last season.
Goga Bitadze, Orlando Magic – There have been a few rumors surrounding Bitadze, 25, and his future with the Magic, especially as they attempt to bring Wagner back. Bitadze has shown flashes with the Magic in his time filling in for Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. last season but found himself buried on the bench in the postseason. He put up 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks per game last season.
Nick Richards, Phoenix Suns – The Suns loaded up on big men on draft night, selecting Duke Center Khaman Maluach with one of the picks acquired in the Kevin Durant trade and dealing for center Mark Williams in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets. Richards, 27, averaged 9.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game last season.
The Lakers may have to get creative due to their cap situation to find their new big man but they certainly still have plenty of options.
