Lakers Trade Market Watchlist in 2025 Offseason
The Los Angeles Lakers are in the offseason after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
The Lakers will focus this offseason on adding a center and building around Luka Doncic. With that in mind, here are the Lakers’ trade targets for the 2025 offseason.
Lakers Trade Targets
Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are among Giannis Antetokounmpo’s preferences should he and the Bucks decide to explore a trade this offseason 👀
(via The Ringer) pic.twitter.com/RCElT6ZKOD
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) May 6, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo
While it’s highly unlikely that the Lakers could land Giannis Antetokounmpo, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t make a call to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have lost in the first round in three straight seasons. He could request a trade out of Milwaukee after their struggles as a team.
The 30-year-old superstar averaged 30/12/7 with 1.2 blocks per game on 60/22/62 shooting splits. The Lakers should offer anyone on their roster other than Doncic to land Antetokounmpo.
This remains highly unlikely, but no one saw the Doncic trade coming, and maybe general manager Rob Pelinka can pull off one more miracle.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. is a more realistic but still unlikely star addition. The Grizzlies have a lot of money tied up in their big three of Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and Desmond Bane.
Jackson Jr. won a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023 and is a two-time All-Star. The 25-year-old had a great season, averaging 22/6/2 with 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game on 49/38/78 shooting splits.
While Jackson Jr. is more of a power forward than a center, he would fit well alongside Doncic and LeBron James. He would anchor their defense while being a reliable third option for the Purple and Gold.
Nic Claxton
Nic Claxton is one of the more realistic options for LA to land at center this offseason. Claxton appeared in 70 games for the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 10/7/2 with 1.4 blocks while shooting 56.3% from the field.
Claxton is the lob threat and rim protector that would thrive alongside Doncic. He has three years remaining on his four-year $97 million deal.
The Lakers have a realistic path to land Claxton, as they have the contracts and draft capital to make an enticing offer. The expiring contracts of Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent, and Rui Hacimura, as well as a young player in Dalton Knecht, give them the assets to get a deal done.
Who would be your ideal trade target for the Lakers between these 4?
A. Walker Kessler
B. Herb Jones
C. Daniel Gafford
D. Nic Claxton pic.twitter.com/RoglxBrs9i— JSM (@JSMonYT) May 10, 2025
Walker Kessler
Walker Kessler is the dream option for the future starting center of the LakeShow. He averaged 11/12/2 with 2.4 blocks per game, shooting 66.3% from the floor.
Kessler has one year remaining on his rookie contract, earning $4.8 million.
The 23-year-old big man’s rookie contract makes it possible for LA to keep their core and expiring contracts intact when acquiring him.
The Lakers could send a package of Dalton Knecht and draft capital for Kessler if the Utah Jazz are interested.
However, after unknowingly helping facilitate the Doncic trade, Danny Ainge and the Jazz could be hesitant to make a deal with LA.
If Pelinka can pull off a deal for Kessler, it would be a splash for the Purple and Gold.
Cam Johnson
While the obvious need for LA is upgrading the center position, they could use more 3&D players. Cam Johnson is one of the better players in that role, averaging 19/4/3 on 48/39/89 shooting splits.
Johnson’s defense and shooting would fit exceptionally well in a lineup alongside Doncic and James. The 29-year-old has two years remaining on his four-year $94.5 million contract.
Head coach JJ Redick also has a great relationship with Johnson, as he had him as a guest on his podcast prior to becoming a coach.
Johnson would be an excellent addition for the Lakers heading into next season.
Dereck Lively II
It’s unlikely that the Lakers can land young center Dereck Lively II. Lively II only appeared in 36 games due to injury, averaging 9/8/2 with 1.6 blocks, shooting 70.2% from the field.
He has chemistry with Doncic and has two years remaining on his rookie contract. He is a great lob threat and rim protector, but the Dallas Mavericks value him as a core piece.
The Mavs are unlikely to part with Lively II, and Nico Harrison may shy away from making a deal with the Lakers anyway.
Daniel Gafford
A more likely center that LA could land from Dallas is Daniel Gafford. Gafford is entering the final year of his contract and wants starting center money on his next deal.
With Lively II and Anthony Davis as bigs already on the roster, paying Gafford a big new contract might tie up too much money at the big position.
Gafford was the starting center for the Mavs when Doncic led them to the NBA Finals in 2024. The 26-year-old averaged 12/7/1 with 1.8 blocks per game, shooting 70.2 percent.
Nick Richards
Nick Richards has one year remaining on his contract, making $5 million. The Phoenix Suns acquired him at the deadline, but as they are likely to trade Kevin Durant, they could shake up their roster.
Richards would thrive as a backup, but could be a serviceable starter for the Lakers. The 26-year-old averaged 9/8/1 with a block per game, shooting 59.1%.
If the Suns opt to trade Richards, he would be a quality addition for the Purple and Gold.
Mitchell Robinson
Mitchell Robinson is another center that LA could target. Robinson appeared in 17 games for the New York Knicks in the regular season, averaging 5/6/1 with 1.1 blocks per game.
The seven-footer is a quality defender and a lob threat. However, his injury history is a major concern, and makes a deal very risky, especially if they’re relying on him as a starter.
ROBERT WILLIAMS III CHASES DOWN LEBRON FOR THE BLOCK 🍿 pic.twitter.com/wgL0DsZOy7
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 21, 2025
Robert Williams III
Robert Williams III, like Robinson, could be a lob threat and rim protector for LA, but has major injury concerns.
Williams III is entering the final year of his deal, averaging 6/6/1 with 1.6 blocks, shooting 64.1% from the field across 20 games for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Williams III would be a risky addition at center, but he would fit extremely well when he’s on the floor.
PJ Washington
Another former Doncic teammate and Dallas Maverick that the Lakers could be interested in is forward PJ Washington. Washington averaged 15/8/2 with 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game on 45/38/72 shooting splits.
He is a versatile forward who would give the Lakers more size. Washington was pivotal on Dallas’s run to the NBA Finals.
It’s unlikely that the Lakers can make a deal for Washington, but he could be an excellent addition for the Purple and Gold.
Wendell Carter Jr.
Wendell Carter Jr. is another center that LA could target this offseason. Carter Jr. 9/7/2 for the Orlando Magic on 46/23/74 shooting splits.
Carter Jr. is a solid big man, but the Magic may hesitate to move on from him. He is under contract for the next four seasons and could be a quality addition.
However, he also has an injury history and would be a risky addition for the Lakers.
Final Thoughts
Pelinka and the front office have a lot of work to do this offseason to build around Doncic. Adding a starting-caliber center is the top priority, but with the flexibility LA has with expiring contracts and draft capital, it shouldn’t be the only move they make.
