The Los Angeles Lakers have entered the 2024-25 NBA preseason with an almost identical roster to a season ago. Dalton Knecht and Bronny James were added via the 2024 NBA Draft, but the team's core members remain generally the same at this stage of the game.
Just when it seemed as though the Lakers were done making changes, however, a top NBA insider has revealed that Rob Pelinka remains active on the trade front.
Los Angeles entered the preseason with three centers on the NBA roster: Anthony Davis, Jaxson Hayes, and Christian Wood. The Lakers also have two promising big men signed to two-way contracts in Colin Castleton and Christian Koloko, but that doesn't mean the front office is satisfied with its options.
During an appearance on ESPN's NBA Today, NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that the Lakers are exploring the trade market for an upgrade at center.
"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
It's an intriguing development that seemingly supports the belief that the Lakers will not enter training camp with the same roster that they currently have in place.
Lakers are searching the trade market for an upgrade at center
The search for an upgrade at center is one of the longest-running goals in Los Angeles. Davis first brought it to the Lakers' attention that he would like help at center ahead of the 2023-24 season, and doubled down on the request earlier this summer.
Nothing has materialized as far as a trade is concerned, but Pelinka seems to be aware of the importance of improving at a vital position.
It's also worth noting that Lakers head coach JJ Redick plainly stated that he would like to add a big, bruising center to the roster. With the franchise player and head coach seemingly on the same page, it now falls on Pelinka to deliver the requested ingredient.
Following a season during which the Lakers ranked No. 21 in points allowed in the paint and No. 30 in offensive rebounds per game, the focus on interior depth is understandable.
The options available to the Lakers are unclear, as most teams are utilizing the preseason to lock in their rotations. The hope appears to be that a rival franchise will decide to part ways with a player whose talent is noteworthy, but whose fit no longer aligns with their needs.
That scenario would not only open the door for the Lakers to find the player they're searching for, but also avoid overpaying at a time when they're attempting to execute a trade without any form of leverage.
Regardless of who the Lakers land on, a trade would act as confirmation of how the Lakers value Davis' voice and opinions. The same can be said for Redick, who has seemingly been building a rather symbiotic relationship with Pelinka this offseason.
With the 2024-25 regular season nearing and the dwindling opportunity to incorporate a late addition before the games can begin, the pressure is back on for Pelinka to find the answer at the 5-spot.