The Los Angeles Lakers need a center, and everyone in the league knows that. Rob Pelinka, their GM, talked recently about how they are going to address the center situation this summer. They will have two avenues to find a center, via the draft or free agency.
Los Angeles Lakers Make Bold Draft Trade to Solve Center Crisis
The Lakers recently traded their 55th overall pick and cash considerations to the Chicago Bulls for the 45th overall pick. That move should give them a bit more chance to draft a quality center who can fill 10 to 15 minutes per game. They are not getting someone like Dereck Lively to pair with Luka Doncic in the draft, that is for sure. But if they can find a backup, and hope to sign or trade for a starting quality center, they would be fine. Right now, they have no center on their roster.
The Los Angeles Lakers are moving up in the second round of the NBA Draft tonight, acquiring the No. 45 pick from the Chicago Bulls for No. 55 and cash, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
Best Centers Left in the Draft
The Lakers probably hoped to move further up in the draft, but for now, this is what they are getting. There might be some quality backup centers when they pick. The best center left in the draft according to mock drafts is Maxime Raynaud, but he will almost certainly be gone by the time the Lakers pick. The Boston Celtics are widely regarded as his landing spot. Ryan Kalkbrenner is another solid center who will surely be off the board. The Charlotte Hornets, after trading away Mark Williams, might be interested in getting Ryan, an experienced center who can operate in the pick-and-roll effectively.
The Lakers‘ best hope is that one of Johni Broome, Rocco Zikarsky, and Vladislav Goldin will be available. Those are not names that the Lakers fans will get excited about. But all three can provide some solid backup minutes.
Broome, for example, is a physical center who can play inside out and has a good feel for the game. He was a finalist for the Wooden Award. Zikarsky might be too young for the Lakers to consider, but he has massive size and good defensive potential. Goldin might be their best option, a seasoned senior with size and length. He can play above the rim, but he lacks the quickness to guard in space.
Do the Lakers Have Money for Free Agency?
Right now, the Lakers have $191 million in committed salary for the 2025-26 season. That can change, depending on what happens with the player options of LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith. But in all likelihood, the Lakers will remain below the first apron, and above the luxury tax for next season.
Projections for the luxury tax are at $187 million, while the first apron is projected at $195.9 million. If they end up below the luxury tax, the Los Angeles Lakers will have the non-tax mid-level exception to offer to a center, which is $14 million. If they are above the tax, the Lakers can offer only $5 million as a tax mid-level exception. They can also explore the trade market and hope to get a center, but they tried that at the deadline and didn’t find success.
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