Lakers free agency: Ranking the best available free agent centers in 2024

4. Precious Achiuwa, RFA

This one is a little bit complicated, and perhaps an outright stretch. Achiuwa played 36 percent of his minutes at center with the New York Knicks this past season, but saw 97 percent of his minutes at the 5 before he was traded by the Toronto Raptors.

Achiuwa excelled at the 4-spot, but his positional interchangeability actually lends itself to being paired with Anthony Davis.

The move to New York kickstarted Achiuwa's recent rise up free agency rankings lists. He averaged 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.9 offensive boards, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 52.5 percent shooting from the field in 24.2 minutes per game during his 49 outings with the Knicks.

A shot-blocking defender who relentlessly attacks the offensive glass on the other end of the floor, Achiuwa is a high-ceiling player.

Still just 24 years of age, there's plenty of time for Achiuwa to tap into his remaining upside. For instance, while he shot poorly from beyond the arc in 2023-24, the former AAC Player of the Year knocked down 35.9 percent of his 156 three-point field goal attempts as recently as 2021-22.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, Achiuwa being a restricted free agent all but guarantees that they'll be unable to acquire him this summer. Even still, it's worth a shot.