The Los Angeles Lakers enter the offseason with a clear mission: build a championship roster around Luka Dončić.

After acquiring Dončić via trade, the Lakers have yet to form a complete squad that best fits Dončić's skill set.

An athletic center capable of protecting the rim, controlling the glass and serving as a lob threat has become the team's top priority, a move that would also fulfill the type of roster Dončić has long preferred.

That need was reinforced in ESPN's latest mock draft, where league executives and scouts expect L.A. to target a frontcourt player with the No. 25 overall pick.

"The Lakers at No. 25 are another team rivals are projecting will land on a big man," ESPN wrote.

"The Lakers have been linked to all sorts of veteran big men in the forthcoming free agent market as well. They could emerge as a suitor for the Knicks' Mitchell Robinson and the Trail Blazers' Robert Williams III, although sources say both players are very open to remaining in their incumbent roles with the Knicks and Blazers."

The report adds to a growing list of rumors connecting the Lakers to nearly every available center on the market, signaling that the organization understands exactly what it needs to maximize Dončić's talents.

Throughout his NBA career, Dončić has thrived when paired with athletic finishers who can roll to the basket, catch lobs and erase mistakes on the defensive end. His elite playmaking creates countless opportunities around the rim, making a reliable center one of the most valuable pieces that can be placed alongside him.

If Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren are out of their price range, Robinson and Williams III fit that description at a lower cost, but not as a long-term solution as opposed to the other two.

Robinson and Williams' health is a major concern, but they provide high-level rim protection and rebounding, which are points of emphasis in upgrading for L.A.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers have made adding a center a priority this offseason after entering the playoffs undersized.

The front office is expected to explore every avenue available, whether that means using the No. 25 pick, pursuing free agents, or packaging assets in a trade.

With Dončić expected to lead the franchise for years to come, every roster decision will be made with his strengths in mind.

Adding size, rim protection and a dependable pick-and-roll partner would not only address the Lakers' biggest weakness from last season but also give Dončić the type of supporting cast that has brought out the best in his game, like in Dallas.

As the offseason unfolds, don't expect L.A. to stop searching until it finds the big man capable of helping turn Dončić's vision into a legitimate championship contender.