The Lakers dealt Deandre Ayton to Washington, so now they must address their backup center spot.
The Los Angeles Lakers aren't expected to be finished making moves after trading Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, L.A. will now shift its focus toward adding a backup center behind Walker Kessler, with veterans Jonas Valančiūnas and Kevon Looney among the players under consideration.
This comes after the Lakers sent Ayton to the Wizards for former Luka Dončić teammate Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks (2031, 2032).
Andre Drummond was taken off that list of suitors hours after the tweet, who signed a one-year, $3.9 million deal to fill Mitchell Robinson's void.
The Lakers already solved their biggest need by acquiring Kessler to anchor the middle, but the roster still lacks an experienced reserve capable of providing quality minutes throughout the regular season.
They already lost last season's backup center Jaxson Hayes to the Utah Jazz right after acquiring Kessler, so the need for a backup big man is at an all-time high for the Lakers.
Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during the second half at Delta Center.Each potential target brings something different.
Jonas Valančiūnas
Valančiūnas offers perhaps the most complete offensive package of the three. The 14-year veteran averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 58.2% from the field in 65 games for the Denver Nuggets last season.
Over his NBA career, the former fifth overall pick has averaged 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds across more than 1,000 games, making him one of the league's most accomplished veteran centers.
Kevon Looney
Looney brings championship experience after spending most of his career with the Golden State Warriors and last season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Last season, Looney played just 21 games after battling a knee injury throughout the year. He averaged 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in those games.
Adding another veteran center would allow L.A. to manage Kessler's workload while providing insurance against injuries over an 82-game season.
The best option could be Valančiūnas for the Lakers.
Given Kessler's shoulder injury from last season, playing just five games, a player like Valančiūnas, who has started in 854 of his 1,004 games, could fill in smoothly in the lineup if the Lakers suffer any major injuries to their frontcourt.
Meanwhile, Washington benefited from the Ayton trade by adding the veteran center to a frontcourt featuring Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr. After taking a patient approach during free agency, the Wizards landed another experienced big man to strengthen their rotation.
Jonas Valančiūnas (17) reacts to making a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. For the Lakers, however, the focus remains on completing the roster.
General manager and Lakers president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, has aggressively reshaped the team this offseason, and adding one more experienced center would further solidify the frontcourt.
With training camp still months away, L.A. has time to evaluate its options. Whether it's Drummond, Valančiūnas or Looney, the Lakers appear intent on bringing in another proven veteran before the start of the 2026-27 season.
