The Los Angeles Lakers have just over four weeks to complete a trade and push on further toward the goal of an 18th championship. While many have debated what the Lakers need most, few have pushed back against the idea of improving the quality of the depth down low.
Thankfully, there's an answer to the Lakers' problems waiting for them in North Carolina—and it may not cost all that much to acquire their services.
Los Angeles enters trade season having already patched up one of its primary areas of weakness by adding 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith. The hope is that the patchwork will turn into a shift in culture and priorities, as the team follows Finney-Smith's lead by becoming more engaged on defense.
A void remains along the interior, however, with Anthony Davis' well-documented request for improved depth at center hanging over Rob Pelinka's head.
Options exist across the NBA, but the Charlotte Hornets play home to a player who could best help the Lakers address the issue. It would be a low-cost move that protects Los Angeles' future assets while simultaneously completing an upgrade at the position.
If Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards is truly off the board, then the Lakers should do their best to acquire Hornets center Nick Richards instead.
Nick Richards can address Lakers' biggest issues at center
Richards, 27, has become the ultimate victim of circumstance in Charlotte. He's a high-level big who can rebound, protect the rim, score, and even distribute at commendable levels, but he's simply become less of a priority for the Hornets than 23-year-old center Mark Williams.
That's good news for the Lakers, which have flaws that align perfectly with the attributes that define Richards' game.
The stars aligning begins with the fact that the Lakers rank No. 26 in the NBA in second-chance points allowed per game. Richards, meanwhile, ranks No. 23 among players who have appeared in at least 20 games in defensive rebounding percentage.
Richards' mere presence on the court could help the Lakers address one of their most pressing issues while simultaneously allowing Davis to roam more freely on defense.
Furthermore, Richards is averaging 1.3 blocks per game and 2.2 blocks per 36 minutes in 2024-25. Opponents are also shooting 6.7 percent worse when he's the primary defender within six feet of the basket and 5.5 percent worse within 10 feet.
Richards has room for improvement when defending the perimeter, but his interior defense would benefit a Lakers team that ranks No. 28 in points allowed in the paint.
On the other end of the floor, the 7'0" and 245-pound big man is averaging 9.2 points, 2.4 offensive rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game—or 15.6 points, 4.0 offensive boards, and 2.2 assists per 36 minutes. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is No. 24 in the NBA in second-chance points per contest.
Richards may not single-handedly resolve the issue the Lakers have with creating second chances, but he'd certainly get them closer to turning a weakness into a strength.
Compounded by the fact that he's owed just $5 million in 2024-25 and has a matching $5 million salary for 2025-26, Richards is the ultimate low-risk, high-reward type of target. Los Angeles could potentially acquire him by packaging Jalen Hood-Schifino with a player on a minimum contract.
It may not be as flashy as adding Valanciunas, but Richards fits the Lakers' needs and has a contract that's about as team-friendly as it gets. Charlotte needs to be on speed dial.