Lakers Urged to Trade for $48 Million Center to Solve Roster Question originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Los Angeles Lakers face a big question in their frontcourt this offseason, needing a starting center after shipping away Anthony Davis in the blockbuster trade that landed them Luka Doncic.

With NBA free agency set to begin, one insider believes the Lakers could find their answer on the trade market. ESPN’s Bobby Marks suggested the Lakers could “ace” their offseason by trading for Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III and then signing Brook Lopez to the midlevel exception.

“Yes, the Lakers would be bringing in two starting centers, but Williams has played 40 or fewer games in three straight seasons,” Marks noted. “Because the Lakers are over the first apron and not allowed to take back more money in a trade, any package for Williams would start with some combination of Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and/or Shake Milton.”

When healthy, Williams proved to be one of the league’s best rim protectors and earned a spot on the second-team All-NBA Defense team in 2021-22. 

There could also be a new target for the Lakers, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting that the Trail Blazers were planning a buyout for center Deandre Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Ayton could join the Lakers if he is willing to take a minimum deal, and many analysts suggested that the Lakers could be a top contender to sign him.

Related: Lakers Implored to Sign Former No. 1 Pick Amid Shocking Buyout

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.