3 Potential big men Lakers could target after Alperen Sengun is off the board

The Los Angeles Lakers have established early momentum during the 2024-25 regular season. A win over the Minnesota Timberwolves was a convincing display of how much better the team could be under head coach JJ Redick, with Antony Davis taking over in a starring role.

For as promising as that victory was, it didn't change the fact that Davis himself has asked Los Angeles to address its primary weakness: Depth at center.

Backup center Jaxson Hayes played well in the season opener, posting 10 points, four rebounds, and a block in just 15 minutes of action. It was an encouraging display from the 24-year-old, who some are still hoping will live up to his profound potential.

Hayes' development should continue to be a priority for the Lakers early in the 2024-25 season, but an eye must remain on the trade market.

Davis' request for help at center isn't quite as simple to accomplish as some might hope. Los Angeles will need to part with valued assets in order to bring someone in who can truly move the needle, and Rob Pelinka has said that he's only willing to part with draft picks for impact players.

Unfortunately, with Houston Rockets star Alperen Sengun signing a contract extension, the Lakers have lost one of their most intriguing options.

Thankfully, there are still three high-level trade targets to consider.

1. Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks

The Lakers will be keeping an eye on the Atlanta Hawks throughout the 2024-25 season. Part of the reason will be potential interest in All-Star point guard Trae Young, but the need for help at center could ultimately bring them to Atlanta.

Clint Capela is one of the best potential trade options on multiple fronts, and with the emergence of Onyeka Okongwu, he may be available sooner than later.

Capela would address two of the Lakers' biggest weaknesses: Interior defense and offensive rebounding. In 2023-24, he posted absurd averages of 4.6 offensive rebounds per game and 6.4 per 36 minutes while ranking No. 3 in the NBA in offensive rebound percentage among those who played at least 60 games.

For a Lakers team that finished dead last in offensive rebounds and second-chance points in 2023-24, Capela would be a dream acquisition due to his value on the glass alone.

Defensively, Capela thrives as a drop big who can protect the paint and contain the dive man off the pick and roll. That would free Anthony Davis up to be even more omnipresent than he already is without having to concern himself with being the only rim protector on the floor.

Throw in Capela's expiring contract and this low-risk, high-reward investment could pay dividends for the Lakers in 2024-25.

2. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

If the Lakers are willing to give up two first-round draft picks, they could land a potential franchise cornerstone. It's the reported asking price that Utah is putting out in discussions for 23-year-old center Walker Kessler.

There's reason to be hesitant to give up that much compensation for a relatively unproven commodity, but what Kessler has shown thus far has been remarkable.

Through two NBA seasons, Kessler compiled averages of 8.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 offensive boards, and 2.4 blocks in just 23.2 minutes per game. That translates to 13.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.5 offensive boards, and 3.7 blocks per 36 minutes.

An elite shot-blocker and offensive rebounder, Kessler provides similar value to Capela, only as a younger and perhaps more malleable player.

Kessler also has two seasons and just $7,844,858 remaining on his current contract. As one of the best bargains in the NBA, it's understandable for Los Angeles to potentially express interest and for Utah to be reluctant to part with him for anything less than a haul of a return.

Kessler has yet to appear in the playoffs and has a career-best average of 23.3 minutes played per game, but there's undeniable talent to consider here.

3. Jonas Valanciunas, Washington Wizards

An offseason favorite, Jonas Valanciunas shocked the NBA community when he signed a three-year $30,295,000 contract with the 15-win Washington Wizards. Surprisingly, he made that decision while agreeing to a non-guaranteed salary for the 2026-27 season.

Valanciunas will be available in trade discussions on December 15, however, and the Lakers should give serious consideration to making a run at acquiring him.

Valanciunas is one of the most compelling centers in the NBA. He's an elite offensive rebounder, skilled post scorer, capable three-point shooter, and respectable passer who would give Los Angeles a presence it currently lacks down low when Davis is off the court.

In 2023-24, Valanciunas put those skills to use by averaging 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 offensive boards, 2.1 assists, and 0.8 blocks in just 23.5 minutes per game.

For what it's worth, those numbers translate to 18.7 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 offensive boards, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks per 36 minutes. His three-point percentage fell to a discouraging 30.8 in 2023-24, but he knocked down 35.7 percent of his 1.5 attempts per game between 2019-20 and 2022-23.

One of the most productive and skilled offensive centers in the NBA, Valanciunas could be acquired at a potentially reasonable cost as soon as December 15.