Confirmed deal : 3 Centers Lakers can realistically trade for after the Dorian Finney-Smith move

 

The Los Angeles Lakers have officially begun the process of being one of the most active teams in the NBA on the 2024-25 trade market. After an offseason during which it neglected to sign new players in free agency, Los Angeles got the ball rolling by trading for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.

The Lakers parted with several key tradable assets, including D’Angelo Russell and three second-round draft picks, but the search for talent persists.

 

By acquiring Finney-Smith and Milton, the Lakers added two quality three-point shooters to the rotation. Finney-Smith also acts as an essential upgrade along the defensive perimeter, with the track record and versatility to help address Los Angeles’ inconsistency.

Los Angeles has undeniable flaws along the interior, however, including a general inability to prevent second chances and points in the paint.

 

Thus far in 2024-25, the Lakers are No. 22 in opponent second-chance points and No. 28 in points allowed in the paint. That’s inevitably resulted in the team searching for a center who can help Anthony Davis anchor the interior

 

The question is: After giving up Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks, who are the Lakers’ realistic targets at center

 

The inevitable has occurred. With prioritized center Mark Williams returning to the starting lineup, productive backup Nick Richards has unfortunately fallen out of favor as the Charlotte Hornets go all-in on developing the younger player.