The Los Angeles Lakers' top offseason priority is finding a starting center, but their options will be limited. There aren't quality names on the free-agent market, meaning they could overpay for one on the trade market.
Rob Pelinka thought he had the perfect center to pair alongside Luka Doncic in February, but the Lakers rescinded the Mark Williams trade. Los Angeles originally agreed to send its 2031 first-round pick, Dalton Knecht, and Cam Reddish to Charlotte for Williams. Since they regained that pick back, it could be used in a trade this summer, as well as its 2032 first-rounder. However, LA can't trade both of its first-round picks outright.
Not only should the Lakers want to get a center to appease Luka (who will be eligible to sign an extension), but also to increase their chances of winning another title with LeBron James. He has a $52.6 million player option for next season that he's expected to exercise, but that will be determined in a few weeks.
Knowing how desperate LA is for a quality center, opposing teams could reach out to the Lakers with a high price in mind. Utah is the first team that comes to mind, as Walker Kessler is a player on Los Angeles' radar. The Jazz have a new president of basketball operations, who happens to be the son of Danny Ainge. LA won't be able to pull a fast one on Utah.
Lakers could be forced to overpay for a center this offseason
Los Angeles got its fair share of luck (times a million) before the deadline when it landed Luka, but that might be where the luck stops when it comes to trades. The Lakers aren't going to pull a fast one on teams like the Jazz, Nets (Nic Claxton), Cavaliers (Jarrett Allen), Jakob Poeltl (Raptors), or Jonathan Isaac (Magic). To be clear, those aren't players who will be available on the trade market this summer, but are possibilities.
For many LA fans, the topic of who the team should acquire continues to return to Kessler. Sarah Todd of Deseret News reported that the Jazz are expected to engage in trade conversations regarding Kessler (as well as other players). If Utah is willing to trade Kessler, the Lakers won't be the only interested team, which would drive up the 23-year-old's price. The Jazz will be fine entering the 2025-26 season with Kessler on the roster, as there is no rush (or need) to trade him. Utah won't mind playing the waiting game.
Hopefully, on opening night, LA will have a quality big man starting at the five, although it could mean losing a first-round pick and a young player like Knecht. It has technically already happened before, so at least Lakers fans will be prepared this time around if a trade does happen.