From generational talents changing scenery to surprise playoff exits, the 2024-25 NBA season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. The Dallas Mavericks shocked the basketball world by sending Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2.
The Lakers weren’t done, as they also tried to trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, who later failed his physical and caused the trade to be rescinded. Now, an NBA insider revealed that Lakers general manager had tried to acquire another center prior to the NBA trade deadline, but he couldn’t pull it off.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Pursued Hawks Center Onyeka Okongwu
In a recent appearance on the “Straight Fire” podcast with Jason McIntyre, ESPN’s NBA insider Dave McMenamin revealed that Pelinka had his sights set on acquiring Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
“I do know the Lakers made a call to the Hawks around the trade deadline about Okongwu,” McMenamin said, noting that this was “before the Mark Williams trade.”
“He was one of the names on the list that Rob Pelinka presented to Luka… I think lob threat, athleticism, absolutely. In terms of being a perfect fit, maybe not. They might not get a perfect fit, though.”
Then, McMenamin spoke about some other centers who could be targets for the Lakers this offseason.
“Clint Capela of ’17-’18 might have been a perfect fit, but we’re in ’25-’26 now, so that is kind of the spot they’re gonna be in,” he said. “I am of the opinion to not go all in on a [Nic] Claxton or someone who makes $20-30 million… They’re gonna have the taxpayer mid-level available to them, so I’d try to go and get a guy at that level, and if he doesn’t prove to be the best fit, make sure you’re holding on to one of your picks and then you can try to pursue something come February.”
Okongwu was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and is currently in the first year of a four-year, $61.98 million contract with the Hawks. This season, he averaged a solid 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game, showcasing his potential as a dominant force in the paint.
His numbers improved once he became a starter, averaging 15.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 triples in 40 games, while shooting 58.1% from the field and 36.2% from 3-point range.
Once the Lakers weren’t able to acquire Okongwu, Pelinka pivoted to the deal for Williams — sending Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap, and a 2031 first-round pick to the Hornets for the young center. But again, that trade ultimately fell through after Williams’ failed physical.
The Lakers’ biggest weakness is the center position. The lack of a reliable interior presence was painfully evident in the playoffs, when the Lakers were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games and Rudy Gobert was able to dominate.
While Dončić’s arrival has certainly energized the Lakers’ fanbase, it’s clear the team needs to put the right pieces around the generational talent, starting with a center. Pelinka has acknowledged this as well.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka makes it clear the team’s main offseason priority will be addressing the center position pic.twitter.com/0Q06ZCRbL0
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 1, 2025
“When you make a huge trade at the deadline where you trade your starting center for a point guard, of course, that’s gonna create a significant issue with the roster, and we saw some of them play out…” Pelinka said. “This offseason, one of our primary goals is gonna be to add size in our frontcourt at the center position, and that’s just gonna be a part of the equation.”
Will the Lakers circle back to the Hawks and make another offer for Okongwu? Atlanta fired general manager Landry Fields recently, so perhaps the new regime will view the center differently, making a deal is possible.
One thing is clear: whether it’s Okongwu or another piece, shoring up the center spot is priority No. 1 for Pelinka and the Lakers.