According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Los Angeles Lakers are not expected to pursue Chicago Bulls All-Star Nikola Vucevic or Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl.
The Lakers are looking to trade for a big man.
“League sources stressed over the weekend that the Lakers are not expected to join the hunt for either Vučević or Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl,” Stein reported. “While oft-suggested Lakers target Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz is believed to be as close to unavailable as it gets with less than 10 days to go before the trade deadline on Feb. 6 at 3 PM ET.”
Anthony Davis told NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN he wants the Lakers to trade for a center.
“I think we need another big,” Davis said. “I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been the 4, having a big out there.”
The Lakers won the 2020 championship with Davis at the 4.
“We know it worked when we won a championship with JaVale [McGee] and Dwight [Howard] at the 5 and I’m at the 4,” Davis said.
The Lakers are 25-18 on the season under first-year head coach JJ Redick. They are in fifth place in the Western Conference standings.
“We feel like we are right there, you know, as far as the team and everything like that,” Davis said.
After the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics, Davis doubled down on his comments about wanting to play the 4.
“I only started playing the five in 2021,” Davis said. “I’d have stretches, but I was primarily a four. So my whole career I’ve been playing the four. And we’ve seen how I play. I just feel a little bit more effective (at the four). I mean, (playing the five) has its advantages and disadvantages. But the front office knows that. I’ve told them that every year I’ve been here. So it’s nothing new. But I just feel like, personally, I’m a better player at the four.”
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