The Los Angeles Lakers are widely expected to address their hole at the center position by targeting a starting-caliber big man and possibly a reliable depth piece this offseason. According to Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, the franchise has three trade targets and two free agency options in mind, but its desperation may complicate its roster-building approach.
After dealing superstar big man Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline, LA’s deficiencies at the five-spot became painfully evident. Rim-running reserve center Jaxson Hayes never capitalized on his starting opportunity and offered minimal production.
With no better options, coach JJ Redick was forced to utilize smaller lineups built around superstars Luka Dončić and LeBron James amid his team’s five-game first-round playoff loss. However, if the summer goes according to plan for Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, the Purple and Gold could enter next season with multiple proven centers.
Lakers Connected to 5 Big Men Amid Center Crisis
On Tuesday, Irwin named the Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton, Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler and Portland Trail Blazers’ Robert Williams as three first-string-level centers LA is eyeing via trade. The team insider also pegged the Atlanta Hawks’ Clint Capela and Milwaukee Bucks’ Brook Lopez as two veteran big men it could sign in free agency to fill its backup center role.
“Sources close to the team reiterated that the internal plan is to trade for their starting center – sources say they’ve held conversations with other teams about Nic Claxton, Robert Williams, Walker Kessler and others – then, ideally, use the taxpayer midlevel on his backup – Brook Lopez and Clint Capela are the two names most often linked to the Lakers,” Irwin wrote.
The Lakers have been showing interest in Nic Claxton, Robert Williams III, and Walker Kessler on the trade market, while also monitoring Brook Lopez and Clint Capela as potential backups to whoever they acquire as their starting center, per @AnthonyIrwinLA
“Sources close to the… pic.twitter.com/pvDPjwsozw
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025
Claxton, Kessler and Williams (when healthy) would each give the Lakers a bona fide rim protector under 30 who could play off Dončić as a lob threat. Capela could offer a similar, albeit waning skill set, as a veteran off the bench. Meanwhile, Lopez would give the team a different look as a seasoned stretch five with NBA championship experience.
However, Irwin noted that moves for players like Claxton, Kessler and Williams won’t come cheap for LA. Rival teams are expected to take advantage of its dire frontcourt situation and desire to appease its new franchise cornerstone by holding out for sizable returns.
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One former executive speculated that the organization may need to find a trade partner facing similar urgency to get a reasonable deal done.
“The worst spot you can put yourself in is trying to negotiate while everyone knows about your desperation,” the ex-executive said. “The whole league knows that not only do the Lakers need a starting center and probably a backup, but they need to bring someone in who Luka is going to want to play with. They basically have to hope someone else reaches their current level of desperation so that the talks can be held on even footing.”
As such, Pelinka will likely have to get creative to guide the Lakers back to title contention next season.
