The Los Angeles Lakers have been actively seeking a starting-caliber center following the trade of Anthony Davis as part of the Luka Dončić deal. According to Sam Amick from The Athletic, the Lakers have engaged in trade talks with the Houston Rockets about acquiring 31-year-old center Steven Adams, who is on an expiring contract worth $12.6 million. However, the two sides remain far apart, and it seems unlikely that a deal will be finalized.
The Lakers are low on draft capital, with just one first-round pick (2031), three pick swaps, and a 2025 second-round pick remaining for trade. While Adams doesn’t justify a first-round pick, their second-round pick is projected to be at the end of the round, reducing its value. The Lakers had previously been linked to other center options like Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas, Utah’s Walker Kessler, and Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic, but those players are more expensive than Adams.
Lakers Might Wait Until the Offseason for a Bigger Move
Rob Pelinka, Lakers’ vice president and GM, hinted that the team may wait until the offseason to find a long-term center. “The market for bigs right now… is very dry,” Pelinka stated, adding that a big move may be more realistic in the offseason. He emphasized the importance of finding a center who offers “versatility, mobility, and a vertical lob threat” to complement Luka Dončić’s style of play.
Potential for Small-Ball Lakers Lineup
If the Lakers can’t secure a center by the Feb. 6 trade deadline, they will rely on Jaxson Hayes as their main center, with Christian Koloko and Trey Jemison III ineligible for the playoffs due to their two-way contracts. Christian Wood, another center, has not fully recovered from a knee injury. This leaves the Lakers with limited options and may force them to play small-ball at times with players like Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt, or even LeBron James stepping in at center. This could be problematic when facing bigger teams in the Western Conference such as the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Memphis Grizzlies.
