The Los Angeles Lakers are likely to pursue a big man this offseason as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season. With hopes of building a roster capable of lasting through the full 82-game schedule and into the playoffs, the team faces several critical decisions—topping the list is finding a reliable presence in the frontcourt.
While the Lakers hold the 55th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, the odds of landing an impact big man that late are slim unless they trade up. Free agency could be another route, but the current pool of available bigs doesn’t offer many attractive options. As a result, trading for a center appears to be the most viable path forward. The trade market is expected to feature several notable players, and the Lakers are anticipated to be active participants. One name linked to them is Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks. NBA insider Yossi Gozlan suggests the Lakers could explore a deal involving expiring contracts like Gabe Vincent’s (\$11.5 million) and Shake Milton’s (\$3 million) for Gafford, though draft picks or a young player like Dalton Knecht may need to be included to finalize the trade. Since the Lakers and Mavericks have a history of trades, this kind of transaction is plausible—especially if Dallas uses the top draft pick on Cooper Flagg, potentially making Gafford more expendable.
Free agency remains an option, albeit a limited one. Gozlan notes that top veteran centers such as Brook Lopez, Al Horford, and Clint Capela might be out of reach financially unless L.A. frees up more cap space. He suggests that trading Maxi Kleber and his \$11 million salary might be a better way to acquire a quality big man.
Ultimately, the Lakers’ direction—whether chasing another star or focusing on adding depth—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: solidifying the frontcourt will be essential to their success next season and beyond.