Insider names several realistic center options for the Lakers

Upgrading the center position will obviously be job one for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. It remains to be seen how they go about doing so.

They could get the job done by acquiring a serviceable center who can play about 25 minutes a game and also obtaining another big man who could play about 15 minutes a game at the 5. Or the Lakers could take a big swing at a borderline All-Star or All-Star-caliber center who can be somewhat of a scoring threat in addition to a defensive presence and a strong rebounder.

In a recent article, Khobi Price of the Orange County Register named several centers that could be realistic targets for Los Angeles. Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks and the Brooklyn Nets‘ Nic Claxton, both of whom have been linked to the team, were his two most realistic trade targets, and he wrote that veteran Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela could be an option for the team’s mid-level exception (h/t Lakers Daily).

Via Orange County Register:

“Capela, 31, has declined as a player over the last couple of seasons,” Price wrote.

“His 2024-25 averages of 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, a blocked shot and 21.4 minutes were his lowest marks since early in his career. Onyeka Okongwu took over the Atlanta Hawks’ starting center spot from Capela in late January before Capela missed the final month of the season because of a ligament injury in his left hand.

“But Capela is still a reliable defender, especially near the rim, and he could be a low-minute starter or high-minute reserve. He’s not a good long-term starting center solution, but he could be a good candidate for the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception the Lakers will have at their disposal.”

Price also named several other centers that could be secondary options for L.A.

“Honorable mentions: Orlando’s Goga Bitadze (two years, $15.3 million for 2025-27); Brooklyn’s Day’Ron Sharpe (potential restricted free agent); Luke Kornet (unrestricted free agent); Larry Nance Jr. (unrestricted free agent); Precious Achiuwa (unrestricted free agent),” Price wrote.

Bitadze, who plays for the Orlando Magic, could be an interesting prospect. He will turn 26 years of age on July 20, and he averaged 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 20.4 minutes a game while shooting 61.1% from the field this season.

Sharpe, 23, has been mentioned as someone the Lakers had interest in not too long ago. He registered 7.9 points, 6.6 points, 0.8 blocks and 0.8 steals in 18.1 minutes per game this season with the Nets.

Nance once played for the Lakers for two seasons and change, starting with the 2015-16 campaign, when he was a rookie. He’s undersized at 6-foot-8, but he weighs 245 pounds and can play both the 4 and 5, and he has become a very good 3-point shooter over the last year or two.

He’s not a rim protector, but he’s a decent rebounder, and he can be a lob threat near the basket, which is one skill set L.A. is prioritizing at the center position.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider names several realistic center options for the Lakers