As the Los Angeles Lakers narrow their list of preferred centers to target in free agency, it’s essential that Rob Pelinka keeps an eye on Steven Adams. Adams is far from the high-rising rim runner that many have dreamed of, but he’s a quietly perfect fit given Los Angeles’ needs and voids.
The Lakers should still remain active in their pursuit of a long-term starting center, but Adams can provide invaluable depth and a culture-changing presence.
The elephant in the room in Los Angeles is that even a dream deal for a new starting center would leave a dire need for depth at the position. Perhaps the team is high on Trey Jemison III and Christian Koloko as developable players, but it played this game in 2024-25 and suffered because of it.
Whether or not Jemison and Koloko can occupy the backup center positions, the Lakers need proven talent at the only position they lack it.
With Adams in the fold, there would be no question about what the Lakers would be getting from their backup center. Furthermore, in the event that the starter misses time—an issue Los Angeles encountered regularly in 2024-25—they could slot in a veteran who can at least hold down the fort.
Adams isn’t the explosive athlete that some have idealized as the perfect fit, but he’s the type of veteran who can change the culture and elevate the Lakers to a new tier
Adams played just 13.7 minutes per game during the 2024-25 regular season. That’s certainly reason to be reluctant to sign him to a crucial role, but it’s worth noting that he averaged 22.1 minutes per contest and made a powerfully positive impact during the playoffs.
Considering Adams missed the entire 2023-24 season due to PCL surgery, it’s hard not to be intrigued by how well he played once he finally got back to 100 percent in 2024-25.
Adams’ regular-season averages translated to 10.2 points, 14.8 rebounds, 7.5 offensive boards, 3.0 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steal per 36 minutes. Some of those numbers appear unsustainable, but his impact in the postseason wasn’t all that far off.
Adams featured in two-big sets alongside All-Star center Alperen Sengun, tormenting the Golden State Warriors to the tune of 2.9 offensive rebounds per game and 5.3 per 36 minutes.
He ultimately became a featured player in Houston’s rotation, seeing at least 25 minutes of action in three of the final four games during its clash with the Warriors. It was, of course, a small sample size, but it didn’t look like anything other than the Adams that fans have come to know and respect.
For the Lakers, those performances should act as confirmation of Adams’ ability to elevate their rotation and provide the very attributes they currently lack
At 6’11” and 265 pounds, Adams is one of the strongest players in the NBA. That’s enabled him to dominate the glass, act as a brick wall against post scorers, and effectively set the tone for both physicality and toughness along the interior.
For a Lakers team that ranked 21st in defensive rebounding percentage, 23rd in offensive rebounding percentage, and continues to struggle against powerful interior scorers, Adams would be a stellar acquisition.
With an asterisk for an admittedly low minimum of 40 games played, Adams posted the highest offensive rebounding percentage in the NBA in 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2024-25. That should come as no surprise, as he’s averaged 4.2 offensive rebounds per game and 5.6 per 36 minutes since 2017.
A standard-setting source of second chances, Adams would undoubtedly help the Lakers address the fact that they ranked No. 27 in second-chance points per game in 2024-25 and No. 30 in 2023-24
Los Angeles has a surplus of guards, wings, and hybrid forwards to fill out an impressive rotation. Both with and without Anthony Davis, however, the Lakers have been exposed for lacking the depth along the interior that’s required to be competitive in the modern NBA.
Adams would not only provide depth, but could be the physically imposing interior player the team has long needed to take on the titans of the Association.
Adams is the post defender, rebounder, and general tone-setter Los Angeles needed in past series against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers avoided Jokic in 2025, but the Minnesota Timberwolves still won the offensive rebounding battle 65 to 48, and outscored the Lakers 250 to 174 in the paint.
The ideal starter would certainly help offset that issue, but Adams is the perfect player to create a standard that transcends individual abilities
Adams is a titan among men, utilizing his strength to bully opponents down low and send a message that his team will not be mentally defeated by physicality. He’s the modern version of an enforcer, all the while possessing the proven ability to score via the pick and roll, and contribute on the glass and defensive interior.
Los Angeles needs an infusion of talent at center. With Adams, it would gain that and something even more critical: An identity as a team that won’t back down
