Rob Pelinka inspired a degree of optimism in the future of the Los Angeles Lakers when he boldly stated that the franchise will "turn over every stone" in their pursuit of a new starting center. With an equal need for depth and top-end talent at the position, it was a necessary statement.
It hasn't taken long for the rumor mill to follow up on Pelinka's comments, potentially confirming that he's delivering on that promise.
Los Angeles is currently on pace to enter the 2025-26 season with only one center on the main roster: Maxi Kleber. Kleber, however, has spent more of his minutes at power forward and has missed 132 games over the past three seasons. Thankfully, Pelinka is weighing other options.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Lakers are one of several teams interested in trading for Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards this summer.
"Richards has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype."
The Richards rumor acts as a promising confirmation that Pelinka is putting his money where his mouth is and exhausting every resource at the Lakers' disposal.
Lakers interested in Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards
Richards, 27, is one of the most appealing options on the open market as far as talent at center is concerned. He's a high-level rebounder and ideal target in pick and roll sets who could be among the most attainable targets on the Lakers' list of priorities.
In addition to making an expiring and team-friendly $5 million in 2025-26, Richards is currently on a Suns team that sacrificed its leverage in trade negotiations at the 2025 NBA Draft.
Phoenix completed a trade for Mark Williams and utilized the No. 10 overall selection on Khaman Maluach. In the process, it added two centers with limited positional versatility to a roster that already had a 5 in Richards on the depth chart.
As such, the Suns have given those around the NBA little reason to believe that they would hold on to Richards beyond preparing for the worst-case scenario as far as injuries are concerned.
Los Angeles is seemingly aware of that fact and is now expressing interest in a player who would address many of its issues. In 2024-25, Richards ranked 16th or better in rebounding, defensive rebounding and offensive rebounding percentage.
He also averaged 15.2 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes—the type of production the Lakers have been struggling to find from centers in recent years.
Richards' rebounding would certainly help a Lakers team that ranked No 27 in second-chance points and in the bottom half of the league in second-chance points allowed. He could also operate as an ideal pick-and-roll complement to Luka Doncic, possessing rim-rattling ability that could make him an ideal lob target.
Regardless of whether or not the Lakers trade for Richards, what's become clear is that Pelinka is backing his words up with actions as he explores every path to improvement.