In remarks to Spectrum Sportsnet following the 2025 NBA Draft, Lakers President and General Manager Rob Pelinka addressed the team’s lingering need for a center, vowing: “We won’t rest until we get it right.”
He and the Lakers have an opportunity to join an active offseason on the trade front. Rumors suggest that their former first-round pick could be out the door once more.
Sharpshooting Lakers Wing Could be on the Move — Again
Report: Dalton Knecht Viewed as “Strong Trade Candidate”
In a Saturday afternoon post on X, Forbes NBA writer Evan Sidery said that rising second-year Dalton Knecht is not off the table in trade talks.
“Dalton Knecht remains a strong trade candidate for the Lakers, especially if they chase a premium center target,” Sidery wrote. “Packaging Knecht and matching salaries alongside draft capital is still an appealing offer for teams willing to sell on their starting-quality bigs.”
The 24-year-old forward—part of the mixed Mark Williams trade in February—had a decent rookie campaign despite the disruption at the deadline. In 78 games, Knecht averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds on 46% shooting from the field and 37% from three. Following the trade that never was, he put up 8.5 points and 2.3 rebounds on 45% shooting (41% from deep).
The status of last year’s 17th pick only adds to the team’s frontcourt conundrum. Though LeBron James is reportedly “expected” to opt in to his $53 million player option, Dorian Finney-Smith ($15.4M player option) may be inclined to test free agency for a multi-year commitment. Likewise, the selection of Arkansas forward Adou Thiero could signal the sunset on Jarred Vanderbilt’s time with the Lakers. Vanderbilt, another defensive-minded forward with a limited offensive repertoire, is making $11 million next season as part of a four-year extension.
Centers the Lakers Could Still Chase
Knecht and the Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick are still considered among the team’s best assets. Considering recent returns across the league, they—along with one or more expiring contracts—could still be enough for the Lakers to land one of their coveted targets.
Walker Kessler remains the Lakers’ best bet—if Utah is willing to budge from an enormously steep asking price (per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, it included multiple first-round picks). The team previously mulled over Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu, a former USC Trojan, at the deadline. The same goes for Portland’s Robert Williams III and Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton, who are both athletic two-way threats but come with notable limitations (Williams’ injury history and Claxton’s inconsistency).
Still, the rumors hovering over LA seem to align with their plan for the offseason: to trade for a starting center and sign his backup in free agency. Doing so will require a significant shuffle in the rotation, but it’s a risk the Lakers are willing to take to avoid another early postseason exit.
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