The Los Angeles Lakers have set the trade world ablaze with a deal that's certain to live on in the annals of history. As the rest of the NBA was asleep, Los Angeles completed a trade for Luka Doncic that sent former franchise player Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
It's taken less than a week for the Lakers to take action on attempting to give Doncic what it routinely failed to provide Davis with: Help at center.
Los Angeles created voids in its rotation by trading Davis and starting shooting guard Max Christie to the Mavericks. The hope is that Doncic will offset those concerns, but the front office still has work to do to address obvious roster flaws.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Lakers have expressed interest in both Steven Adams of the Houston Rockets and Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers.
"League sources say the Lakers have had talks with Houston about 31-year-old big man Steven Adams (who is on an expiring deal worth $12.6 million). And while the two sides have been significantly apart, with no signs that a deal will actually get done, those talks offers some clarity as to what Pelinka has been thinking here."
Amick continued, citing Williams as another player the Lakers are keeping an eye on:
"The Lakers are known to have interest in Portland's Robert Williams as well. The 27-year-old is signed through next season ($12.4 million this season, $13.2 million next)."
It isn't quite as significant as an actual trade being completed, but in the midst of an outrageous month of moves, every rumor counts.
Lakers have expressed interest in Steven Adams, Robert Williams III
Adams is an interesting target as a veteran big who thrives in the areas that Los Angeles has struggled. He's averaging just 12.5 minutes per game in 2024-25, but he's No. 1 in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage at 17.9.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are No. 22 in the Association in the same statistic, as well as No. 22 in second-chance points per game.
Williams brings a different skill set to the table, albeit while averaging 3.7 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes. He's more of a shot-blocking menace, making his name as an athletic rim protector who has been redirecting 3.6 shots per 36 minutes in 2024-25.
For a Lakers team that ranks No. 26 in points allowed in the paint, Williams could be an invaluable addition to the rotation.
Both players are on team-friendly deals, as well, with Adams making an expiring $12.6 million. Williams, meanwhile, is owed $12,428,571 in 2024-25 and $13,285,713 in 2025-26, with unrestricted free agency awaiting him in 2026.
It's unclear if either move is gaining traction, but the Lakers seem to have an archetype in mind at center: Interior-oriented and making less than $14 million per season.
Unfortunately, this all feels like too little too late when it comes to the manner in which the Lakers have conducted their business. Davis requested help at center in 2023, 2024, and 2025, but the franchise failed to provide him with the necessary aid.
Perhaps it should be perceived as a positive that Rob Pelinka and the Lakers are following a different course of action with a new franchise player.