So far, the Los Angeles Lakers have been relatively quiet in free agency. They lost key 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, and they signed Jake LaRavia, a 23-year-old 6-foot-7 forward who could have some upside as a role player or complementary player. But other than that, it has been crickets.
Everyone knows the Lakers’ biggest need is at the center position. If they don’t make any additions at that position, they will likely have to go into next season with 6-foot-10 Maxi Kleber, who is coming off foot surgery, as their starter there.
Fans have been hoping that Deandre Ayton, who agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers but is yet to clear waivers, will come to the Purple and Gold. But another possibility is that the team lands a serviceable 5 in a trade.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the team is looking at trade scenarios in order to plug their massive hole in the middle.
“I spoke to a source with familiarity about what the Lakers are thinking today, and they’re weighing several trade scenarios, I’m told, to try to acquire this center,” McMenamin said.
If the Lakers don’t land a center via trade and they don’t land Ayton either, they may end up being out of options. That scenario would result in this offseason being an extremely disappointing one for them.
