The Los Angeles Lakers have officially begun the process of being one of the most active teams in the NBA on the 2024-25 trade market. After an offseason during which it neglected to sign new players in free agency, Los Angeles got the ball rolling by trading for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
The Lakers parted with several key tradable assets, including D'Angelo Russell and three second-round draft picks, but the search for talent persists.
By acquiring Finney-Smith and Milton, the Lakers added two quality three-point shooters to the rotation. Finney-Smith also acts as an essential upgrade along the defensive perimeter, with the track record and versatility to help address Los Angeles' inconsistency.
Los Angeles has undeniable flaws along the interior, however, including a general inability to prevent second chances and points in the paint.
Thus far in 2024-25, the Lakers are No. 22 in opponent second-chance points and No. 28 in points allowed in the paint. That's inevitably resulted in the team searching for a center who can help Anthony Davis anchor the interior.
The question is: After giving up Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks, who are the Lakers' realistic targets at center?
1. Nick Richards, Charlotte Hornets
The inevitable has occurred. With prioritized center Mark Williams returning to the starting lineup, productive backup Nick Richards has unfortunately fallen out of favor as the Charlotte Hornets go all-in on developing the younger player.
Still just 27 years of age himself, however, Richards is a center whom the Lakers would be wise to scout and potentially trade for.
Richards is a 7'0" and 245-pound center with a 7'2.25" wingspan and impressive attributes on both ends of the floor. He's put that to good use in 2024-25, averaging 9.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 offensive boards, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks in just 21.9 minutes per game.
Those numbers translate to 15.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.8 offensive boards, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks per 36 minutes—clear illustrations of his value.
Richards can help the Lakers protect the rim, keep opponents off the offensive glass, and create second chances. He's more of a rim-runner than a player to dump the ball off to in the post, but he's effectively a better version of Jaxson Hayes at this stage.
At just $5 million per season, Richards has the contract and on-court value to be a low-risk, high-reward addition at a position of need.
2. Day'Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets
Is it realistic to believe the Lakers and Nets could complete a second trade in a single season? Perhaps not. As the trade deadline nears, however, Brooklyn could become more eager to move up-and-coming center Day'Ron Sharpe.
Sharpe is already rumored to be avaliable in trade discussions, and if the Nets' refusal to give him significant playing time could result in the Lakers being able to offer a favorable package.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on Dec. 19 that the Nets are known to be shopping Sharpe. That's a promising sign for the Lakers, which desperately need a heavier center to battle in the post, create second chances, and provide upside on defense.
Sharpe isn't the proven commodity the Lakers would benefit most from adding, but he remains a viable option to consider based on upside and talent.
Sharpe is currently averaging 6.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 offensive boards, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks in just 15.1 minutes per game. Those numbers translate to 15.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 5.9 offensive boards, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per 36 minutes.
As one of the very best offensive rebounders in the NBA, Sharpe can wield his 6'9" and 265-pound frame, as well as his 7'0" wingspan, to become an ideal fit in Los Angeles.
3. Jonas Valanciunas, Washington Wizards
The most likely of trade targets, Jonas Valanciunas has been on the Lakers' radar since the summer. LeBron James himself endorsed Valanciunas as a player he'd like to see Los Angeles add to the roster, but the veteran instead opted to sign with the Washington Wizards.
Fast forward to 2025 and the Lakers are still interested in acquiring Valanciunas—even after completing the trade for Finney-Smith.
According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Lakers are still exploring avenues to acquire Valanciunas. It should come as no surprise, as the veteran has the skill set and build to help the Lakers address many of their aforementioned flaws.
Valanciunas also continues to be remarkably productive, averaging 21.4 points, 14.6 rebounds, 4.2 offensive boards, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 blocks per 36 minutes in 2024-25.
Beyond the numbers, the 265-pound big man continues to be a force of nature along the interior. He scores from the post at relative will, can body up the heavier bigs who have been exploiting the Lakers' lack of ideal interior depth, and is one of the best offensive rebounders in the NBA.
It's unclear how the Lakers can acquire Valanciunas, but interest remains in making necessary improvements at the center position.