Getting a new starting center to suit up for the Los Angeles Lakers is right near the top of the offseason priorities list for Rob Pelinka this summer. Deandre Ayton ultimately proved to be a disappointment, and searching all corners for a better long-term successor is an absolute must.
One of the avenues many have been eyeing is the NBA Draft. Whether it be trading up, moving down, or staying pat at the 25th overall pick, the Lakers have a long list of options with quality of big men in the 2026 class. Unfortunately for them, Flory Bidunga will not be one of them.
Bidunga stood out for all the reasons that Ayton does not. The former Kansas Jayhawk defends the rim well, gives consistent effort on the glass, and is a willing play-finisher. Those are all attributes that Luka Doncic loves to have in a starting center.
ESPN's Jeff Borzello suggested Bidunga wanted a shot at being a projected first-round pick to really justify staying in the NBA Draft. It does not appear as though he got that. As such, the former Kansas big man will complete his transfer to Louisville and suit up for the Cardinals next season.
Flory Bidunga's decision forces Lakers to look for other Deandre Ayton replacements
To the point of Bidunga not being projected for the first round, the 21-year-old would likely not have been in play at 25 for the Lakers. Had the Los Angeles used 25 to trade down and dump a contract they did not like, or otherwise, then it would have made more sense for Los Angeles to eye him.
With the NIL money probably outweighing whatever a second-round contract would have looked like, and the 2027 NBA Draft being billed as a weaker class, Bidunga's decision to go back to school is completely justifiable. He can now further build his stock with the Cardinals and try again next year.
If the Lakers still want to find their next big man in the NBA Draft, there are other options. Reported draft workouts with the likes of Zuby Ejiofor immediately point to another player who can slot in with the frontcourt to help Doncic.
Either way, the mission should be simple, and that is upgrading from Ayton.
Talent-wise, it would be dishonest to say the former first overall pick is incapable. Ayton may even be better in that department than whoever comes in to replace him. It was never about pure ability though. It has always been about the right kind of ability.
The Lakers need a big man who is willing to fill the gaps of what the teams needs and play his role. Ayton was incapable of doing that on a consistent basis in 2025-26. In their search of someone who can, it will not be Bidunga. That crosses one name off while leaving Los Angeles still hunting for a solution up front that involves anyone but their current starter.
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