NBA reporter names two centers the Lakers could trade for this summer

Posted by author February 15, 2025 NBA

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The Los Angeles Lakers have a sizable hole at the center position after essentially swapping superstar big man Anthony Davis for 25-year-old superstar point guard Luka Doncic nearly two weeks ago. They tried to plug that hole by trading for promising center Mark Williams, but that trade was rescinded when Williams failed his physical.

Los Angeles signed veteran center Alex Len from the buyout market on Tuesday, but it won’t be able to truly address this positional deficiency until this offseason.

According to Evan Sidery, a contributor to Forbes, people around the NBA say the team will have two targets via the trade market this summer: the Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner and Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets.

Turner has been linked to the Lakers for the last couple of years. At 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, he is an excellent rim protector and a reliable 3-point shooter, which would make him an ideal fit for them, at least on the surface. He will be a free agent this summer.

Claxton isn’t a 3-point shooter, but he’s a strong rebounder and shot-blocker, as well as a lob threat, which is something Doncic would love to have. He’s averaging 10.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.6 minutes a game this season.

Both Turner and Claxton will be expensive for the Lakers. Turner could command as much as $30 million a year in free agency, while Claxton is set to earn $25.35 million next season. However, if the Purple and Gold can find a way to afford either of them within the NBA’s very restrictive salary cap while keeping their core together, going after either of them would be well worth it.