If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to upgrade at center, it's going to cost them more then money in free agency. That's the latest narrative growing in NBA circles, with a respected voice in the reporting community relaying as much in an educated but speculative manner.
Options will exist for marginal upgrades in free agency, but anything of true substance will likely require Rob Pelinka to execute a trade.
Los Angeles was aware of the lack of ideal depth at center throughout the Anthony Davis era. It attempted to resolve the matter after it traded Davis, but a failed physical cost it the chance to land Mark Williams and it's thus back at the drawing board with the offseason nearing.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line recently wrote that the Lakers' pursuit of a center is a hot topic around the NBA Draft Combine, and stated plainly Pelinka's options appear to be limited.
"The goal, of course, is to find a rim-running center to pair with Luka Dončić ... like the Lakers intended in February when they traded for Charlotte's Mark Williams and then rescinded the deal amid concerns about Williams' long-term health. It would appear they'll have to go the trade route again to fill that need."
There are veterans worth considering in free agency, but as Fischer notes, the goal of finding the rim-runner Los Angeles is searching for will likely run through the trade market.
Lakers' pursuit of rim-running center likely to require a trade
The Lakers could potentially make a run at veteran free agents such as Steven Adams, Clint Capela, or Brook Lopez. It can also attempt to bank on the untapped potential of up-and-comers such as Precious Achiuwa or Day'Ron Sharpe.
The odds of Los Angeles having the means to acquire top free agents such as Naz Reid or Myles Turner without completing a sign-and-trade, however, are slim to none.
It certainly doesn't help the Lakers' cause that both Reid and Turner are playing meaningful minutes for teams that are in the Conference Finals. The purple and gold certainly have an appealing history, but said players are already achieving what Los Angeles is struggling to formulate a concrete plan for.
It may ultimately need to sign one of the aforementioned players to create ideal depth, but the process of finding a full-time starter will likely need to conclude via a trade.
Thankfully, there are a number of intriguing options for the Lakers to consider on the open market. That includes one of Doncic's former teammates, Daniel Gafford, whom Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports could be traded if he doesn't sign an extension.
The harsh reality facing Pelinka and the Lakers, however, is that they'll need to part with some of their limited assets to add a starting-caliber center.
Depending on who Los Angeles pursues, that could mean losing a promising up-and-comer such as Dalton Knecht, who was nearly shipped out in the failed Williams trade. It could also result in having to part with starting forward Rui Hachimura, whose expiring contract may be the Lakers' most attractive asset after its star players.
Regardless of what it costs, one can't help but wonder if Los Angeles will finally rip the bandage off and allow their greatest roster need to be addressed.