The biggest concern for the Los Angeles Lakers was a competent big man who could play alongside All-Star guard Luka Doncic. Last season, they failed to partner Doncic with a decent big man. Their attempt to trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams didn’t push through after he failed his physical. Since then, the Lakers had to settle with Jaxson Hayes as their starting center to finish the regular season and the playoffs.
After their postseason elimination against the Minnesota Timberwolves, there has been talk about which big man could partner well with Doncic. The franchise is hoping to acquire a high-quality big man who could run the floor well and protect the paint on the defensive end.
Anthony Irwin, an NBA insider, claims that certain well-known people have been connected to the Lakers. There have been mentions of Clint Capela (Atlanta Hawks), Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers), Naz Reid (Timberwolves), and Steven Adams (Houston Rockets).
Irwin further discussed who else the Lakers could target in the trade market.
“League sources anticipate yet another tough market for free agents this summer, but it’s not so dry that Steven Adams will be available to the Lakers, let alone Myles Turner or Naz Reid. Clint Capela is considered within reach at $5.7 million and, as such, is expected to sit pretty high on the Lakers’ target board,” Irwin wrote.
“The Lakers could also target Kevon Looney using their taxpayer mid-level exception, but if he was going to accept that contract, he’d likely get it from the Golden State Warriors, sources say. Al Horford had a really good season given his age, and the Boston Celtics are going to be looking to shed salary, so he could also be an option if the Lakers want to double the number of 40+ year-olds on the roster.”
Los Angeles Lakers’ beat writer doubts the team’s potential to land Walker Kessler
One name that has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers in the past is Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz. According to Jovan Buha, The Athletic’s beat writer for the Lakers, the organization’s limited assets could hinder them from making a trade to acquire Kessler.
“I just don’t know if the Lakers have the requisite assets to get Walker Kessler, but I think he’s likely available for the right price,” Buha said in a recent episode of “Buha’s Block”. “I just think that price is very high, and I don’t know if the Lakers can get to it.”
Still, there are other players the Los Angeles Lakers could consider as free agency approaches. Acquiring a big man could be beneficial for the team and it would help Doncic be comfortable offensively.
For other sports-related content:
Follow me on X at @BarbecueBro, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics and @GridironHeroics. You can also reach out to Reign Amurao via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
