The Los Angeles Lakers will be on the hunt this summer for a big man who can supplement Luka Doncic on both ends of the floor -- as a lob threat on offense to help maximize his expansive skill set as a creator and a rim protector on defense to help cover up his flaws as a perimeter defender.
However, what Los Angeles can accomplish in that regard is going to depend significantly on who/what they are willing to trade and/or what moves the front office can make to open up more salary cap space.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report recently took a deep dive into this summer's free-agent class of centers, which is already thin, in the context of which players the Lakers can potentially afford. Unfortunately for L.A., the top two names on the list aren't likely players the team can acquire at the required price points.
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
"The center options in free agency aren't great. Myles Turner, who'd be the best fit, will get more to stay with the Indiana Pacers," Pincus wrote on Thursday, May 22. "The Houston Rockets won't lose Steven Adams to the Lakers at $5.7 million."
The $5.7 million figure Pincus mentioned represents the Lakers' mid-level exception. Adams is coming off of a two-year contract with Houston that paid him approximately $25 million total and will play next season at 32 years old.
Turner is the starting center on a Pacers team that is up 2-0 on the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals and heading back to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4. Indiana is now the clear favorite to represent the East in next month's NBA Finals and Turner has played a huge role in that success, likely earning himself a monster payday in the offseason ahead.
If Los Angeles prioritizes the addition of a center who is an ideal fit next to Doncic, it will likely have to look to the trade market to acquire that player or hope to can hit on a young player it can develop.