After a humbling defeat in the first round of this year’s NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of many active teams in the months to come. For now, it’s a mystery what trades the Lakers may be considering (especially for Austin Reaves), but it’s no secret where their greatest needs are: the frontcourt.
After trading for Anthony Davis (in the legendary acquisition of Luka Doncic), the Lakers gave up their star big man without getting any reliable centers back. Once they rescinded the trade for Mark Williams before the deadline, all the Lakers had left was Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, who didn’t make his debut until Game 5.
The young big man did the best he could, but he was not fit to serve as the Lakers’ starting center. By the end of the series against the Timberwolves, Hayes was out of the rotation after losing the trust of head coach JJ Redick. This summer, finding his replacement is a top priority, or, at the very least, finding someone to take his starting spot so that he can return to a bench role.
Both in free agency and on the trade front, the Lakers have several paths to improve, and you can bet that they’ll be considering several names when the NBA playoffs are done in June.
Nic Claxton
The Brooklyn Nets have not been competitive for some time now, and there are some questions about how Nic Claxton, 25, fits into their long-term vision for the future. The NBA big man has been with the Nets since he was drafted in 2019 and has another three years and $68 million left on his contract.
Known as an elite athlete and rim protector, Claxton has been a stabilizing force in the frontcourt with averages of 10.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in his career. His defense, rebounding, and shot-making around the rim would be a major boost for the Lakers, who need some additional scoring outside of their “big two.”
The price for Claxton would be pretty steep as a top 10 center in the league, and it might require the Lakers to part ways with Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dalton Knecht. Still, for a defensive-minded big man in the middle, it might be worth the sacrifice.
Jarrett Allen
In Cleveland, Jarrett Allen has emerged as a star for the Cavaliers, and his work with teammate and co-star Evan Mobley in the frontcourt helped them earn the best record in the East this season (64-18). But after an early exit in the second round, the Cavs are ready to make changes, and a swap at center is reportedly in consideration.
Allen, a 1x All-Star, has been a key contributor to the Cavs’ top-ranked defense over the years. At 6’11” and 240+ pounds, Allen is more of a traditional big man who hangs around the rim and controls the game with his interior dominance. In 82 games this season, he averaged 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game on 70.6% shooting.
Financially, the Lakers could make the trade work by packaging Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht, but it may take more than that for the Cavs to part with their starting big man. Depending on how badly the Lakers want Allen, they may have to give up someone like Austin Reaves or throw in their final first-round pick to get the deal done.
Daniel Gafford
Daniel Gafford has only been a Maverick for less than two full seasons, but he’s already made a strong impression on the franchise. Since he arrived in 2024, the Mavericks have been steadily in the championship conversation, but after adding Anthony Davis to the fold, there are questions about where Gafford fits into the new roster.
The 26-year-old center is a great rebounder and natural shot-blocker with averages of 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game for the 2024-25 season. He’s no star, but his contract is relatively cheap with just one year and $14.4 million remaining for the 2025-26 campaign. Best of all, he already has experience playing with Luka Doncic, who is now considered the future of the Lakers.
If the Lakers want to avoid giving up too much in a trade for a big man, Gafford may be their best bet given his modest numbers and affordable contract. With many suitors for Gafford, the Lakers may not have enough assets to outbid their competitors, but they can still make a compelling offer centered around either Dorian-Finney Smith or Rui Hachimura.
With Luka Doncic on the team and LeBron James approaching retirement, this summer is going to be pivotal for the Lakers in determining their fate for the next few years to come. If they play the cards right, these next few months will only increase their title odds as they make much-needed upgrades to the supporting cast.
