Listing every center LA Lakers can target in 2025 trade and free agency market

As the LA Lakers unexpectedly enter their offseason before May after a first-round upset against the Minnesota Timberwolves, their attention shifts to making roster tweaks around Luka Doncic. One of LA's major needs is at the center spot. While the Lakers were the consensus favorites to win against Minnesota, many raised concerns about whether they could sustain the series without a traditional big man.

Jaxson Hayes was their only option, but he was played off the floor in every game until coach JJ Redick decided not to play him another minute for the final six quarters of the series. It was one of the main talking points in GM Rob Pelinka and Redick's season-ending press conference on Thursday.

"One of our primary goals is going to be to add size in our frontcourt at the center position," Pelinka told reporters (via Sportskeeda's Mark Medina).

Pelinka also spoke about the archetype of centers he would look at in the offseason. He's looking for a two-way stretch big who can guard the rim and be a lob threat. Pelinka added that he might look for a "spread center" who can be a rim protector.

The upcoming trade and free agency market can provide Pelinka with ample options he didn't have at the 2025 trade deadline.

All possible trade and free agent centers LA Lakers can target in 2025 offseason

Free agent center market for LA Lakers

#1. Myles Turner

Myles Turner is the best option for the LA Lakers at center. Not only can he space the floor, but he can also attack the rim and protect it. During the 2024-25 season, Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks, shooting 39.6% from 3 on 5.5 attempts.

He was a rumored target for the Lakers during the trade deadline, but the Pacers never showed any real interest in trading him despite rumors that they weren't willing to offer him a lucrative extension. LA can clear decent cap space to match his demands or make the best offer possible, which Indiana may not match.

#2. Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez is the second-best option for the LA Lakers after Turner. Lopez, a former Laker, excelled in his career after moving out of LA, earning himself the label of one of the best modern-day centers. Lopez is an excellent 3-point shooter and rim protector.

In 2024-25, he averaged 13.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 1.9 bpg, shooting 37.3% from deep. With the Bucks failing to progress beyond the first round for the third consecutive year, they might be reluctant to retain most of their core, and Lopez could be among the players they won't mind losing in free agency.

#3. Clint Capela

Unlike Turner and Lopez, Clint Capela fits the archetype of a vertical spacing, rim-protecting center who can rebound at a high clip. Capela's stock has dropped over the years, but with a point guard like Luka Doncic on the ball as his pick-and-roll parnter, the Atlanta Hawks big man can thrive.

Capela averaged 8.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 1.0 bpg, playing 21.4 minutes in the 2024-25 season. If he's the LA Lakers' starting center acquisition, Capela might have more playing time and opportunities than he had in potentially his final year with Atlanta. He could also be an excellent backup big option for the Lakers.

#4. Steven Adams

Steven Adams is in his final year with the Houston Rockets. At 31 years old, he's still relatively young and effective, albeit as a backup big. Adams' numbers don't stand out, but that's also partly because he's a reserve for one of the best centers in the league, Alperen Sengun.

However, he's played critical minutes for the Rockets in the playoffs, averaging 19.6 mpg (up 5.9 mpg compared to the regular season). Adams' girth, interior presence and offensive rebounding ability are some traits LA needs in a center. He's averaging 6.8 rebounds in five games in the postseason, including 3.6 on the offensive glass.

Free agent targets that are likely out of LA Lakers' reach

Naz Reid and Al Horford are among the free-agent centers this offseason. Both have proven themselves as two of the best sixth-men and second-unit centers in the NBA, who can be just as effective when starting with their versatility.

However, Reid has a player option he may pick up. Even if he doesn't, he's likely to extend with the Timberwolves, who moved on from Karl-Anthony Towns last summer to create cap flexibility to re-sign someone like Reid.

Meanwhile, Horford is also likely to re-sign with the Celtics. With cost-cutting trades rumored to be imminent in Boston, Horford is one of the affordable players the Celtics might retain.

If there's any chance the two become available, the Lakers will likely covet them.

Trade prospects for LA Lakers

#1. Nicolas Claxton

Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton is one of the more lucrative center options the LA Lakers can pursue. Claxton fits the archetype of a vertical spacer who is a versatile defensive big and a great complementary piece next to Luka Doncic. Only 26, Claxton has four years left on his contract worth $97,000,000, which kicks in next year at $27,556,817. The value of his contract annually reduces by roughly $2,000,000.

#2. Walker Kessler

The Lakers and Walker Kessler rumors dominated the trade deadline before the blockbuster Luka Doncic deal. The Lakers seemed reluctant to make a deal because of Utah's demands and the potential loss of their assets for aging superstars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

But with Luka Doncic now replacing Davis, LA might revisit those negotiations with Utah and match the demands. The Lakers went all in on Mark Williams, and it's difficult to see why they may not do the same for a talent like Kessler, who is one of the best rebounders, vertical spacers, and shot-blockers in the NBA, at only 23 years.

#3. Onyeka Okongwu

With murmurs of the Hawks potentially rebuilding their roster after another failed attempt at a playoff run with Trae Young, center Onyek Okongwu could be on his way out of Atlanta. Okongwu is a cheaper alternative in terms of salary compared to Claxton and assets compared to Kessler.

Okongwu is on a four-year $ 61,980,000 contract, making $14,000,000 next year. Okomngwu is coming off a career year, averaging 13.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg and 0.9 bpg, shooting 56.7%, including 32.4% from 3.

Trade prospects that are likely out of LA Lakers' reach

Bam Adebayo, Kristaps Porzingis and Deandre Ayton could be among the other lucrative trade prospects this summer. However, because of their salaries and/or price tags, they would be difficult to acquire for the LA Lakers unless LeBron James doesn't decline his player option and takes a significant pay cut on his next deal.