The center the Los Angeles Lakers should go for

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the hunt this offseason, and have been since the trade deadline, to find a suitable center. A new report on Sunday indicates that they inquired about the promising young Atlanta Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu at the deadline. 

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin on the Straight Fire podcast (h/t Adam Wells of Bleacher Report), the Lakers made the inquiry before their failed trade for center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. That deal fell through when the Lakers didn't like what they saw in Williams' medical exams. 

The Lakers were known to have placed a call to the Hawks around the trade deadline for Okongwu. "I think he's a threat, athletic, for sure. In terms of being a perfect fit, maybe not. They might not get a perfect fit." 

But that doesn't stop the Lakers from trying. There have been several other centers linked to the purple and gold as potential targets, including Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics, and two more reasonable and affordable options.

Okungwu should be the Lakers' top priority

But they could revisit talks about Okongwu this summer, as he would also be not only a reasonable solution, but also potentially a perfect trade target, as noted by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. With three more years on a deal that averages $16 million annually, his contract wouldn't be too burdensome for the Lakers. And at just 24 years old, "he's young enough to be a long-term piece alongside Doncic," Knox writes. 

Since being selected 6th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, Okongwu has improved in each of his five seasons in the league, culminating in the 2024-25 campaign where he started the most games in a season yet, 40 out of his 74 games played. He made significant leaps and set career highs with 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He averaged 28 minutes per night with the Hawks. 

The Lakers do not have many attractive assets to offer in a trade, however, and reportedly, Austin Reaves will only be on the table if it's in exchange for a legitimate star.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El pívot a por el que deberían ir Los Angeles Lakers