Here is a sentiment that has been synonymous with the 2024-25 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers: they need a center. After trading away Anthony Davis, that hole in the frontcourt got a lot bigger.

The Lakers were briefly able to plug it back up when they acquired Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. However, the Williams trade was rescinded due to the Hornets failing to meet the conditions of the deal.

Now, the Lakers are left with Jaxson Hayes and not much else when it comes to their frontcourt rotation. It should not be surprising to see them take a chance on one of the players from the NBA buyout market.

An important caveat that needs to be kept in mind is the fact that the Lakers will be limited as to what they can do on the buyout market to a certain capacity. Keith Smith of Spotrac explained that Los Angeles is one of the teams who “are over the first or second apron and will be restricted from signing a player who makes more than $12,822,000 currently.”

While that will hinder their options, it should not completely take them out of the running. There are a couple of cheaper candidates who should be available for the Lakers to turn to for reinforcements.

Daniel Theis

The well-traveled Daniel Theis should be at the top of the list for centers when it comes to the Lakers’ best options. Theis was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder after being acquired in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.

The former Pelicans center had a contract number of $2.1 million before being released. This allows him to fit the description of players that Los Angeles can pursue.

Theis was averaging 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 16.3 minutes per game for the Pelicans this season. The eight-year veteran is far from the sexiest name, but should be a reliable option for the Lakers to turn to for some minutes off the bench, if they are needed.

Mohamed Bamba

The Lakers could also reunite with a player who has worn their jersey before: Mohamed Bamba.

Bamba would also be in play for the Lakers as he was making only $2.6 million this season. The lanky big man was waived by the Utah Jazz after being traded there from the Los Angeles Clippers leading up to the NBA trade deadline.

The former Clippers big man was averaging 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game in the 28 appearances he made for the other Los Angeles team. Bamba was even connecting on 30 percent of his looks from beyond the arc.

P.J. Tucker

The Toronto Raptors have yet to release P.J. Tucker since acquiring him in a deal that sent Davion Mitchell to the Miami Heat. However, there has been reason to believe the veteran will be available.

Tucker just barely squeaks in as a player the Lakers can pursue. His current contract comes in at about $11.5 million.

Tucker is technically not a center. However, the experience of being a small-ball five is certainly there thanks to his Houston Rockets days. This one feels far more unlikely to help put a band aid over the situation than the other two, but the option is certainly available.