Lakers' offseason priorities unveiled by Rob Pelinka post-Luka Doncic trade deal discussion
The LA Lakers stumbled out of the playoffs in a worrying five-game series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers' pathetic center position was evident throughout the series, so it's no surprise that president and general manager Rob Pelinka announced on Thursday that upgrading this position would be one of the Lakers' "primary goals" for the offseason.
Pelinka went on to discuss what he's looking for in a center for the Lakers: "We need a center that can be a vertical threat, lob threat, and someone who can defend the interior. There are different types of centers that can be effective, so we'll look at various archetypes. But we definitely need a big man."
The Lakers' roster is undeniably left in a precarious state, following the Luka Doncic trade. With Anthony Davis out of the picture, they lacked a reliable center, and the move to trade for Mark Williams fell apart due to medical concerns.
Jaxson Hayes was a passable option for the regular season, but he floundered against the Timberwolves and saw little action. Alex Len was the only other center available, with a mere two minutes played during the series. Maxi Kleber made a return for Game 5, logging five minutes.
Head coach JJ Redick wasn't confident in the depth of his roster in general. The infamous decision to play the same lineup in entirety during the second half of Game 4 led to a gassed team and a squandered double-digit lead. Although he gave the bench more game time in Game 5, it made no difference.
Pelinka made a smart move acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith before the deadline, but more depth on the wing is still required. Doncic isn't exactly a defensive stopper, and neither is Austin Reaves. LeBron James' defensive skills aren't what they used to be, and Rui Hachimura is merely adequate. The Lakers need more capable bodies on the wing to secure defensive stops.
Pelinka faces a challenging summer, with mounting pressure to make the right moves as LeBron's career nears its end.
When it comes to potential center additions, versatile defensive anchor Nic Claxton (Brooklyn Nets) could be a strong fit with his elite mobility to guard both the perimeter and the rim. His aptitude for lob-catching and adaptability to small-ball lineups would complement Doncic's playmaking.
Daniel Gafford (Dallas Mavericks), with his proven lob-threat capabilities and shot-blocking prowess, could address the Lakers' need for a vertical spacer and interior enforcer. The fact that Gafford previously played alongside Doncic in Dallas might simplify his integration into the team.
Another option could be Clint Capela (Atlanta Hawks) with his exceptional rebounding and pick-and-roll defense, who provides physicality and rebounding (10.6 RPG career average) that would bolster the Lakers' frontcourt.
Pelinka will have to strike a delicate balance between immediate contention (2026 window) and long-term flexibility for Luka Doncic. He may have to rely on future draft picks, expiring contracts (such as Jaxson Hayes' $2.5M non-guaranteed deal), or the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12.9M) in free agency to acquire needed reinforcements. Potential trade targets may require careful vetting given the lessons learned from the failed Mark Williams acquisition.
- The LA Lakers' primary goal for the offseason, as noted by president and general manager Rob Pelinka, is to upgrade their center position.
- Pelinka is looking for a center who can be a vertical threat, lob threat, and defend the interior, with different types of centers being considered.
- The Lakers' roster is left in a precarious state following the Luka Doncic trade, as they lacked a reliable center during the playoffs.
- In the playoffs, the Lakers' center position was weak, with Jaxson Hayes being a passable option for the regular season but floundering against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Pelinka faces a challenging summer to make the right moves, as the mounting pressure increases with LeBron's career nearing its end, and he needs to find capable bodies on the wing for better defensive stops and potentially add a center who could address the Lakers' needs in the NBA championship.
