All season long, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to premier centers on the NBA trade market. Anthony Davis, when healthy, is a high-level big man, although their frontcourt relies too heavily on Davis, and he could use some relief.

Earlier in the year, Walker Kessler was the biggest name on the radar, although the Utah Jazz made it clear that they had little interest in taking on D’Angelo Russell as salary filler. The Lakers have since pivoted, and Brook Lopez and Jonas Valančiūnas have been identified as realistic targets.

Both are durable, reliable veterans who could slot into the starting lineup next to Davis or play a key role off the bench. Lopez is a better defender and shooter but he is less physical in the paint and Valančiūnas is a much better rebounder. 

With areas of need identified, recent reports have outlined who the Lakers should prioritize, should both be available. 

“If L.A. pays up for a new center—either to start alongside Davis or play significant minutes off the bench—it needs someone who won’t shrink the offensive end and will add protection to the team’s 26th-ranked defense,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley on Monday. “That’s the exact unicorn role Lopez has mastered in Milwaukee. His shooting range stretches well beyond the 3-point line, and he’s a consistent paint presence on defense who blocks a bunch of shots and contests even more.”

Buckley went on to say that it is “indefensible” that Lopez is the ideal target, although the Washington Wizards may be more inclined to part ways with their center than the Milwaukee Bucks. Should Lopez end up being unavailable in trade talks, Valančiūnas is an elite consolidation prize that would certainly boost the Lakers’ playoff chances. 

More NBA: Lakers’ possible trade target still undervalued despite hot start