The Oklahoma City Thunder have created a four-player logjam in the frontcourt with starters Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, and reserves Aday Mara and Jaylin Williams. The Los Angeles Lakers have a need for depth at center. In rapidly approaching time, their interests may align.
Mara is already beginning to break out as a first-year player, which suggests that Williams' days as a nightly rotational fit could be numbered. If that proves to be the case, then Los Angeles should be all in on a trade for Williams
Mara was sensational during the preseason, but only so much can be taken from games that don't always feature NBA-caliber players. He hit the ground running during the regular season, however, when he matched up against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs and more than held his own.
Mara tallied seven points in 12 minutes, which is solid enough. What he did on defense is more impressive, however, as Wembanyama shot 0-of-4 against him—and the Spurs went 0-of-7 as a team when Mara was the primary defender.
Williams still played 17 minutes, but it's fair to question how long it will be before Mara becomes undeniable and his minutes increase. If or when that transpires, then the Thunder may need to consider moving Williams for a better rotational fit.
If all of these pieces fall into place, then the Lakers shouldn't hesitate to at least kick the tires on a trade for a big who could fit perfectly alongside Luka Doncic and even Walker Kessler.
If Aday Mara continues to excel, Jaylin Williams' days could be numbered
Williams is currently in his fifth NBA season, but he's still just 24 years of age. That's quite intriguing when one considers that he's steadily improved with Oklahoma City and is coming off of the best season of his career thus far.
In 2025-26, Williams averaged 7.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 three-point field goals made in 19.6 minutes per game. He shot 38.3 percent from beyond the arc.
For what it's worth: Those numbers translate to marks of 13.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.8 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes. For context: 9.2 of his 10.1 boards were on the defensive end of the floor, which should appeal to a Lakers team in need of rebounding when Kessler comes off the court.
For further context, Williams ranked in the 96th percentile in defensive rebounds per 75 possessions during the 2025-26 season, per Basketball Index.
Jaylin Williams can space the floor, resolve Lakers' rebounding concerns
Williams' impact is also among the most well-rounded of any backup big man in the NBA. For instance: He ranked in the 93rd percentile in rim protection and the 95th percentile in rim deterrence, as well as the 83rd percentile in screen assists per 75 possessions.
For a Lakers team in need of reliable interior defense and rebounding when Kessler isn't playing, as well as a high-level screener to help Doncic and Austin Reaves, Williams is thus an ideal fit.
Williams' ability to create for his teammates could also give the Lakers a new look for the second unit. Compounded by his sharpshooting tendencies from distance and how the introduction of a pick-and-pop option could diversify the offensive attack, a trade for Williams could prove fruitful.
It also doesn't hurt that Williams is owed a team-friendly $7,774,648 in 2026-27 and has a matching team option for 2027-28 if Los Angeles would like to bring him back for a second season.
The question, of course, is how the Lakers would orchestrate a trade for Williams without being the latest team to give up a surplus of assets to Sam Presti and the Thunder. Attaching draft compensation to a player like Jake LaRavia could at least get Oklahoma City on the phone, however, and kickstart conversations that may ultimately bring a third team into the mix.
There are admittedly moving pieces, but if the Lakers are wise, they'll keep a close eye on the Mara and Williams situation as they weigh their trade options.
Add us as a preferred source on Google