The Los Angeles Lakers have been exploring their options at center for the better part of a small eternity. It's been a persistent storyline during the Rob Pelinka era, specifically as Anthony Davis has become more vocal about his preferred style of play.
The search for the long-awaited answer at the 5 continues as the 2024-25 NBA regular season nears, with Los Angeles reportedly ramping up its efforts on the trade front.
Davis informed Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka in September of 2023 that he would like the team to create more depth at center. A year later, Davis reissued the request—and it appears as though Los Angeles is preparing to honor it this time around.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers are putting the wheels in motion for a trade that would honor Davis' request and create depth at its thinnest position.
"The Lakers have been exploring potentially adding a big man, a center to their roster." 👀 @ShamsCharania makes his NBA Today debut with the latest on the Lakers' search for a big 💪 pic.twitter.com/8iqVBTIGrJ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 10, 2024
The question, of course, is: Who could the Lakers realistically target at this stage of the season?
Ambitiously Realistic: Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks
If the Lakers are willing to swing for the fences, then Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela could be the home-run acquisition. A proven veteran who provides two-way value, Capela could start alongside Davis or play upwards of 25 minutes per game off the bench.
Compounded by the fact that Capela has an expiring salary of $22,265,280, he looks the part of the perfect low-risk, high-reward acquisition—if the Lakers are willing to trade a valued player for him.
The primary reason that Capela makes sense is that his greatest strength aligns with the Lakers' primary offensive weakness. In 2023-24, Los Angeles finished dead last in both offensive rebounds and second-chance points.
Capela, meanwhile, pulled down 4.6 offensive rebounds in just 25.8 minutes per game—translating to an obscene 6.4 offensive boards per 36 minutes.
Capela led the NBA in offensive rebounds per game by a massive margin of 0.8, and was No. 3 in the Association in offensive rebound percentage. He also continues to be a more than competent defender, providing value as a shot-blocking rim protector.
Throw in Capela's proficiency in the pick and roll, and the Lakers would be adding a high-level player—if they're willing to part with a package centered around Rui Hachimura or both Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent.
Costly But Realistic: Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has been involved in trade rumors throughout the 2024 offseason. An elite shot-blocker with youth and a rookie-scale contract on his side, teams are understandably intrigued by his upside.
The unfortunate reality of the Lakers' potential interest in Kessler is that Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports that Utah is asking for two first-round draft picks in any potential trade.
It's a steep price to pay that could ultimately result in Los Angeles opting to go in a different direction. Kessler is an imposing figure with immense upside, but given the fact that Davis would likely close out playoff games at the 5, the price of two future first-round selections is difficult to justify.
Even still, one can't help but evaluate Kessler as a potential option based on how perfectly he seems to fit within the structure of Los Angeles' biggest needs.
Kessler finished the 2023-24 season averaging 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 offensive boards, and 2.4 blocks in just 23.3 minutes per game. Opponents shot a mere 50.9 percent when he met them at the rim and they had just as much trouble keeping him off the offensive glass.
A two-headed defensive monster of Davis and Kessler could produce elite results, but if the Lakers aren't fully committed to playing that duo during the postseason, the cost would be too much to justify.
Simply Realistic: Day'Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets made a clear commitment to the center of the future by signing Nicolas Claxton to a four-year, $97 million contract. That doesn't necessarily mean that they won't carry two quality 5s on the roster, but Day'Ron Sharpe is a pending free agent whose days in Brooklyn may be numbered.
An elite offensive rebounder with an expiring $3,989,122 contract and restricted free agency looming, Sharpe is the ideal target for the Lakers to consider.
Standing at 6'9" and 265 pounds with a 7'0" wingspan, Sharpe has the strength and length to provide quality two-way value. He proved as much in 2023-24, averaging 6.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 offensive boards, 1.4 assists, and 0.7 blocks in 15.1 minutes per game.
For perspective, Sharpe's numbers translate to 16.2 points, 15.2 rebounds, 6.3 offensive boards, 3.3 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 0.9 steals per 36 minutes.
Sharpe's prolific production placed him among the league's best, ranking No. 2 in the NBA in offensive rebound percentage and No. 12 in defensive rebound percentage among players who appeared in at least 60 games. Beyond the numbers, his energy and physicality make him a constant threat to create second chances.
For a Lakers team that struggled in those exact areas beyond Davis' individual production, trading for Sharpe ahead of restricted free agency would be a dream outcome.