Two Key Veterans Lakers Should Have on their Radar this Offseason

The common notion for many teams around the NBA and a saying heard repeatedly over time is “getting younger.” The Boston Celtics may face this over the summer, with a few veterans who could be out the door. However, going after a veteran or two may be the wise path forward for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. Everyone knows the Lakers need a true center, or at the very least, a formidable big man to stand tall in the paint defensively and pose as a weapon for Luka Dončić offensively. Several centers and forwards are hitting free agency this summer, while others could be acquired via trade. Los Angeles cannot enter next season without completing a move to fill this massive roster hole, among other needs. The question is, who should they pursue?

Two Key Veterans Lakers Should Have on their Radar this Offseason

Los Angeles Lakers Could Look at Veterans with ties to the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason

The swap for Dončić with Anthony Davis going the other way solidified the Lakers future, but it decimated their inside positioning on the court, as was evident during the playoffs. The responsibility left in Lakers GM Rob Pelinka’s hands now includes making up for what LA lost in Davis. The trade for Mark Williams fell through, which is old news, so Pelinka will have to try again with someone else. What the Lakers have going for them is the list of big men who will be available to sing this offseason, and one of them is a wiley yet reliable veteran whose days with the Milwaukee Bucks are likely over.

Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and could be the perfect veteran the Lakers need. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks over a week ago, the Lakers have an interest in the former Bucks champion, and they’ve likely already made contact. While Lopez is certainly older and on the back half of his career, there’s no question he remains valuable in his position, and it showed over the last few years in Milwaukee. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game last season. Even at his age, he’s a solid defender in the paint while still proving a consistent threat from the three-point line. Since Milwaukee’s title run in 2021, Lopez has averaged above 35% from distance, even reaching 37% in two of the last three seasons.

Lopez has been linked to the Lakers for the past two years and is familiar with the franchise, having played in LA several years ago. His value goes beyond his veteran experience, though. Even in year 17, Lopez still spaces the floor with the best of them and rises up to block shots. Lopez might not be the most acrobatic lob threat for Luka, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make the offensive game easier for Luka and LeBron James. Lopez is an unquestionable upgrade from what the Lakers had in Jaxson Hayes, who is also hitting the market.

Khris Middleton

Again, like Lopez, Khris Middleton is another veteran who’s been around for a while. That said, what he brings to the table in a veteran presence is something the Lakers could value. A move for Middleton would need to involve a trade with the Washington Wizards. However, his championship and postseason experience, not to mention he can still shoot the ball and create his own offense—elements the Lakers are missing for the most part outside of Luka, LeBron, and Austin Reaves

When healthy, Middleton is a proven offensive threat, and the Lakers would be banking on health if they were to trade for the Wizards veteran. Like Lopez, his former teammate, Middleton is also in the back half of his career. That said, his intangibles and still-intact shooting ability are something LA needs on the perimeter, another roster flaw they have to fix by next season.