The Los Angeles Lakers made a major trade yesterday when they acquired Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets, adding a much-needed 3-and-D wing to bolster the team’s relatively non-existent power forward depth behind Rui Hachimura and LeBron James.
Now, the team is looking to bolster the depth behind Anthony Davis at center and have multiple players to target including Robert Williams, Nick Richards, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Walker Kessler, according to Anthony Irwin.
“Lakers remain active in their pursuit for an upgrade at center behind Anthony Davis… Lakers sources say they’ve held internal conversations about Robert Williams of the Portland Trail Blazers, Nick Richards of the Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn’s Day’Ron Sharpe, and Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.”
These are interesting mid-range options, as the biggest contract in this group belongs to Robert Williams from the Portland Trail Blazers ($12.4 million). He’s averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks this season and would be a phenomenal defensive addition but his injury concerns will make the Lakers think twice before committing to acquiring him.
Nick Richards is averaging 9.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks on the Charlotte Hornets. His $5 million contract won’t be a problem to acquire, but the perennial injury issues for Mark Williams in Charlotte means Richards has become a core piece of the roster and performing at a high level.
Day’Ron Sharpe is averaging 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds on the Brooklyn Nets. The 23-year-old has the potential to be a double-double machine but is still a developing prospect. If the Lakers wanted him, they likely could’ve expanded the Finney-Smith trade to also include him, so this is probably the least likely of the bunch.
The most likely might just be Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz, who’s averaging 10.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks.
The Lakers have been interested in Kessler since the start of the season, but they haven’t made a move to acquire him due to a potentially high price for the 21-year-old block machine. But if there’s a player that might be worth a first-round pick, Kessler is that with his incredible defensive prowess and potential for improvement.
It seems Kessler will be the primary target for the Lakers, as his $2.9 million contract means the Lakers could also try and land a difference-making guard from the Jazz roster. It could either be Collin Sexton or Jordan Clarkson, but if the Lakers are giving up another first-rounder to the Jazz, they will want better value than just a young center.
The Jazz have been listening to offers on Kessler due to his limited offensive upside, which is a genuine concern around him, so they can’t demand the moon for him. The Lakers are equipped to deal with Kessler’s offensive limitations and could maximize his rim protection, unleashing Anthony Davis on offense who won’t be overburdened with those defensive responsibilities.
Richards and Sharpe are hard to execute for different reasons and Williams’ injury history will make the Lakers cautious. Kessler should be target No. 1, and we’ll have to wait and see if a deal can be agreed upon before February 6, 2025.
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