Anthony Davis made it known that he wanted the Los Angeles Lakers to trade for a center before the February deadline. Little did he know that he’d be on the way out in exchange for Luka Doncic. The Lakers then traded for Hornets center Mark Williams in a deal that LA voided because of a failed physical.
After the trade, it looked like maybe the Lakers could combat their center woes with Jaxson Hayes, whose play was elevated with Luka on the floor. However, LA came crashing back to Earth toward the end of the regular season. The Lakers still managed to secure the No. 2 seed in the West, but what happened next wasn’t what they had hoped for.
Minnesota eliminated LA with a 103-96 win in Game 5 on Wednesday. Hayes didn’t play at all. JJ Redick made a lineup change, starting Dorian Finney-Smith at center. Maxi Kleber made his Lakers debut because LA was desperate for an answer to combat Rudy Gobert, who finished with 27 points and 24 rebounds. That answer never came — making it even more clear that the Lakers need to find a starting center this summer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo might help LA get its center, at least for the short term. Milwaukee was swept in the first round by Indiana (again). There has been a lot of chatter about the superstar requesting a trade this summer, although Giannis hasn’t said anything about leaving. If he requests a trade, the decision could sway one of his current teammates to leave Milwaukee. ESPN’s Bobby Marks thinks so, too.
Brook Lopez will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after spending the past seven seasons with the Bucks, which included a championship in 2021. Before joining Milwaukee, Lopez spent a season with the Lakers in 2017-18. Los Angeles is the only Western Conference team Lopez has played for.
One of the biggest gripes from Laker fans about Lopez is his age — he turned 37 last month. The thing is, he wouldn’t be a long-term option for LA, but rather someone the team could bring in for a season or two. The Lakers reportedly have been interested in him and could circle back this summer in free agency.
Lopez is older, but he’s still a solid defender and three-point shooter. He averaged 13 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.8 assists per game for Milwaukee in 2024-25, shooting 50.9% from the field and 37.3% from three.
The center will be one of the top big men on the market, so if the Lakers go after him, there will be competition. The Bucks could try to keep him in Milwaukee, even after shopping him before the deadline. Giannis’ departure could prompt Lopez to look elsewhere to help a team win a championship before he retires. What better place to do that than LA with Luka and LeBron?
