Lakers’ Search For Center Ongoing, But Rival Teams Driving Hard Bargain

The Los Angeles Lakers’ hunt for a starting center has hit a wall, and much of the league knows exactly why.

With their need both obvious and urgent, rival front offices are using Los Angeles’ lack of leverage against it in early trade talks, according to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints.

“The worst spot you can put yourself in is trying to negotiate while everyone knows about your desperation,” a former executive told Irwin. “Everyone knows the Lakers need a starting center, maybe even a backup, and someone (Luka Doncic) would want to play with. That’s a tough hand to play.”

Following the February trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas, Jaxson Hayes stepped in as the Lakers’ starting big. While he held his own in the regular season, Hayes struggled against Minnesota in the first round and didn’t log a single minute in the deciding Game 5. He’s expected to hit free agency.

L.A. Exploring Trade and Free Agency Routes

Per Irwin, the Lakers are looking to address the starting role via trade, while using the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception to land a backup. Trade discussions have reportedly included the Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton, the Portland Trail Blazers’ Robert Williams, and the Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler.

Should those talks stall, veteran free agents like Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks) and Clint Capela (Atlanta Hawks) could be fallback options.

For now, the Lakers remain stuck in a familiar offseason position. They’re searching for help, short on leverage, and facing a league that knows it.

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