‘I’m Sure the Lakers Have Already Talked to Him’ — NBA Executive Expects L.A. to Pursue $48,000,000 Free Agent Center

The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason goals are clear: upgrade the center position. And it sounds as if the purple and gold have already begun making calls around the league to find a big man to play alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

With the Dončić trade sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, the absence of a bona fide big man hurt Los Angeles, who were handed a 4-1 playoff exit by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, former Lakers center Brook Lopez has been linked to the team as free agency looms.

NBA Executive Believes Brook Lopez Is on Lakers’ Radar

According to NBA analyst Gery Woelfel, one league executive believes the Lakers may have already made contact with Lopez’s camp ahead of free agency.

“There’ll be plenty of interest in him, an NBA executive responded before cynically adding, ‘I’m sure the Lakers have already talked to him,'” Woelfel posted on X.

Brook Lopez will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
So, how much interest will there be for the 37-year-old center?
“There’ll be plenty of interest in him,” an NBA executive responded before cynically adding, “I’m sure the Lakers have already talked to him.”

— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) May 21, 2025

Lopez, coming off his 17th NBA season, is an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing a two-year, $48 million contract with the Bucks. Lopez is expected to have numerous suitors, with the Golden State Warriors also mentioned as a possibility.

Lopez showed his durability for Milwaukee this past season, appearing in 80 games and averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.9% from the field and 37.3% from deep.

Lopez previously played for the Lakers during the 2016–17 season, averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 34.5% from 3-point range.

The Lakers seldom used Centers Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len in the playoffs, and it became clear that the team needed an upgrade down low. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has stressed that the team’s primary objective is to land a big man.

The Lakers completed a trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams after acquiring Dončić, but they ultimately pulled out of the deal after the big man failed his physical.

L.A. has remained a perennial playoff contender but has not won a title since 2020. With James set to turn 41 in December, the Lakers face a narrowing window to maximize their championship chances. Only time will tell whether they can pull off another impactful trade to make a serious title run.