Los Angeles Lakers explore multi-team trade route to fill center void amidst missed free agency targets

The Lakers have officially moved past playing it safe. With their center position still vacant and the clock ticking toward Luka Doncic’s extension deadline, Rob Pelinka is diving headfirst into trade negotiations.

ESPN insider Dave McMenamin has shared that the Lakers are actively seeking a young, athletic big man, with Walker Kessler, Nic Claxton, and Jalen Duren being their primary targets. This isn’t just a stopgap; L.A. is aiming for a foundational change before it’s too late.

Los Angeles Lakers line up trio of young rim-running centers via trade discussions

The Los Angeles Lakers’ pursuit of a skilled, athletic center isn’t just theoretical—it’s becoming a tactical trade operation. According to top ESPN insider Dave McMenamin, the Lakers are “monitoring or even engaging in trade-wise” situations that might not just bring one, but maybe even two centers to L.A.

McMenamin mentioned that in a potential domino effect, L.A. could take advantage of the extra resources to secure the depth they really need.Among the players drawing the most interest are Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets, and Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons. Kessler, at just 23 years old, put up impressive stats last season with an average of 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds (4.6 of which were offensive), and 2.4 blocks—though it’s reported that Utah is asking for multiple first-round picks in return.

Additionally, discussions around the league have also pointed out Claxton and Duren as examples of the rim-running athleticism that Doncic favors.Now that Brook Lopez, Day’Ron Sharpe, Clint Capela, and Santi Aldama are off the table, the Lakers' free-agent options are pretty slim. The only veteran centers still around are Al Horford and DeAndre Ayton, but insiders say L.A. is leaning more towards younger, trade-acquired players that match Doncic’s timeline.

There's a real sense of urgency in these negotiations due to a couple of important factors: for starters, Luka Doncic will be eligible for an extension in August and is keen on finding a solid, athletic center to enhance his playing style. On the other hand, LeBron James has chosen to go with his $52.6 million player option for 2025–26, but according to his agent Rich Paul, James' commitment hinges on substantial roster enhancements—especially in the front line.Things are getting tricky with the Lakers' salary-cap strategy. It looks like L.A. is focused on keeping flexibility for a potential max-salary signing in 2027. This means that any center they acquire—whether by trade or a short-term free agent deal—needs to be in line with their cap responsibilities and bird rights structure.Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers Made Jake LaRavia Their Top Free Agency Priority With a $12 Million DealWith Doncic’s extension on the way and James’s future seemingly linked to the team’s performance, Los Angeles is going all out—aggressively pursuing younger, high-potential big men through trades.