The Lakers might not be done yet after some busy offseason business, where they led the league in most additions made. Now, Dan Woike of The Athletic reported that they’re still looking around the big man market for another center behind Walker Kessler, which honestly makes a lot of sense. They gave Kessler a four-year, $130.0 million contract after sending the Jazz a plethora of picks, basically making him the defensive center of the new Luka Doncic era.
The plan feels like the Mavericks 2.0 idea the Lakers promised Doncic a summer ago, and Rob Pelinka has delivered so far. The only problem is that Kessler played just five games last season because of a torn left labrum, so the Lakers probably shouldn’t enter the year without a reliable backup plan.
Kevon Looney came in on a one-year, $3.9 million minimum deal, but he only appeared in 21 games last season. He can still rebound and set screens, but at this stage, I wouldn’t feel comfortable depending on him every night behind a center coming off major shoulder surgery.
The Lakers also have 16 players on guaranteed contracts, meaning somebody has to go before opening night. Dave McMenamin reported that Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht have been available in trade talks, and together they send out around $16.6 million. Instead of cutting somebody for nothing, Los Angeles should package both for a backup center it can actually trust. Here are five realistic frameworks.
5. Bobby Portis Would Give The Bench Some Actual Offense
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Bobby Portis
Miami Heat Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, 2032 second-round pick
If the Lakers want a backup who can actually score instead of another center who only sets screens and rebounds, this is probably the most fun option. Bobby Portis finished last season with 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, and he’ll make $14.5 million in 2026-27. He can score from the post, punish switches, hit open threes, and give the second unit a player who doesn’t need Luka to create every basket for him.
The best part is that Portis could play behind Kessler or next to him. His shooting would keep the floor open while Kessler protects the rim, and the Lakers could also use Portis at center when they want more offense. He isn’t a great rim protector, but Los Angeles already spent $130.0 million on Kessler to handle that job. Their backup doesn’t need to be the same exact type of center.
Miami just acquired Portis in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, so this definitely wouldn’t be an easy conversation. Still, the Heat already have Giannis, Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jovic, and Portis in the frontcourt. Dalton Knecht would add cheap shooting after they lost Tyler Herro, while Jarred Vanderbilt could defend wings and take some difficult assignments as a backup four or small-ball five to replace Portis.
I’m not sure Miami accepts immediately, but this is the kind of move the Lakers should at least call about. Portis would instantly become one of their best bench players, and a second-round pick is a fair sweetener without going crazy.
4. Isaiah Stewart Is Probably The Best Overall Fit
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Isaiah Stewart
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, 2031 second-round pick
A more balanced approach would be targeting a younger big man who can defend, shoot a little, and make the frontcourt much more physical. Isaiah Stewart posted 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 22.7 minutes last season and will earn $15.0 million in 2026-27. His contract also carries a $15.0 million team option for 2027-28, so the Lakers wouldn’t be locked into a bad long-term deal if the fit somehow failed.
Stewart would give Los Angeles a completely different defensive option behind Kessler. Kessler protects the rim with length and timing, while Stewart uses strength, mobility, and aggression. He can defend heavier centers, switch onto forwards, and hang on some possessions against guards. He also hits some open threes here and there to keep defenses from completely ignoring him.
The Grizzlies only acquired him this summer from the Pistons, so moving him again would look a little strange, but they also have Zach Edey, Quinten Post, Cameron Boozer, and Jerami Grant taking frontcourt minutes, though. Knecht would add a young shooter to a roster that needs more spacing, while Vanderbilt could help defensively in that Stewart role, or become another movable salary later.
Personally, this is probably the framework I like the most for fit and realism. Stewart is young enough to grow with Doncic, tough enough for playoff basketball, and affordable enough that the Lakers wouldn’t destroy their flexibility. Throwing in Knecht plus one second-round pick feels like a serious but reasonable offer.
3. Robert Williams Has The Highest Defensive Ceiling
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Robert Williams III
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, 2032 second-round pick
Going all-in on defense would lead the Lakers toward Portland. Robert Williams III gave the Blazers 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in only 17.1 minutes while shooting 70.8% from the field. He then signed a three-year, $44.0 million extension as a free agent this summer, meaning this framework would need to wait until he becomes trade-eligible.
A healthy Williams can protect the rim, switch onto guards, catch lobs, and pass from the short roll. Doncic would have another elite vertical target, while the Lakers could keep a high-level shot blocker on the floor for basically the entire game by rotating Williams and Kessler. Defensively, no other option here gives them that kind of ceiling.
The problem is his body, and there’s no way around it. Williams played 59 games last season, but he had appeared in only 61 total games during the previous two years. Trading Knecht and a pick for another center with a long medical history would be risky, especially after Kessler already missed almost the entire 2025-26 season.
Portland has Donovan Clingan as its long-term starter, plus Branden Carlson and Micah Potter behind him, their two most recent additions. If Williams ends up playing only 15 minutes per game, converting him into Knecht, Vanderbilt, and a second-round pick could make sense. I’d only do this after a complete medical review because the basketball fit is amazing, but another injured center wouldn’t solve anything, and the Lakers must’ve learned from the Mark Williams incident.
2. Steven Adams Would Make Luka’s Life Easier
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Steven Adams
Houston Rockets Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht
Sometimes the easiest way to improve an offense isn’t adding another scorer. It’s adding somebody who creates shots with hard screens, controls the offensive glass, and makes every chance more physical. Steven Adams put up 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 32 games before undergoing surgery after a serious left ankle sprain. He’ll make $13.0 million in 2026-27.
His box-score production isn’t exciting, but Adams affects plays without touching the ball. He sets some of the strongest screens in the league, creates second chances, and gives guards more space to attack. Doncic could use him exactly like he used traditional rolling centers in Dallas, while Adams would also help Austin Reaves and Collin Sexton get downhill.
Houston already has Alperen Sengun and Clint Capela, making Adams the third established center on the roster. Vanderbilt could replace some of the defensive versatility the Rockets lost with the Finney-Smith departure, while Knecht would add another shooter to help Kevin Durant thrive next to a non-shooter like Amen Thompson. The Rockets value Adams, but their crowded frontcourt at least gives the Lakers a reason to call.
Because Adams is 33 and coming off another important injury, I wouldn’t include a pick. Vanderbilt and Knecht are enough value for a veteran backup who might only play 15 to 20 minutes. It isn’t the highest-upside move, but Adams would make the Lakers tougher immediately.
1. Daniel Gafford Is The Most Proven Doncic Partner
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Daniel Gafford
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, 2031 second-round pick, 2032 second-round pick
Daniel Gafford already proved he can thrive beside Luka Doncic, and he finished last season with 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds on 65.5% from the field. He’ll earn $17.3 million in 2026-27, with his three-year, $54.4 million extension running through 2028-29.
There wouldn’t be any adjustment period here. Gafford knows how to sprint into screens, roll hard, catch difficult passes, finish above the rim, and protect the paint without demanding post touches. The Lakers would basically have two versions of the same center archetype with Kessler and Gafford, but that also means Doncic could play with a strong lob threat for almost every minute he’s on the floor.
The Mavericks now have Dereck Lively II, rookie Morez Johnson Jr., Santi Aldama, and Gafford capable of handling center minutes. Knecht would bring shooting around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, while Vanderbilt could defend bigger wings. Still, Gafford is younger and more proven than the other targets, so the Lakers would probably need to attach both second-round picks.
Jake Fischer reported that the Lakers haven’t shown serious interest in Gafford, so this isn’t something currently plausible. It’s simply a move they should reconsider. I’d rather spend one second-round pick on Stewart, but if Los Angeles wants the best possible Doncic fit, Gafford is clearly the answer.
