4 Free Agent Centers Lakers Should Target After Mark Williams Trade Falls Through
By Cem Yolbulan
The Los Angeles Lakers arguably had the most dramatic trade deadline of any team in recent years. First, they acquired Luka Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade. An obvious need for a center emerged following AD's departure. The Lakers filled that need by giving up Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and a pick swap for Hornets big man Mark Williams.
Shockingly enough, the drama didn't end there. On Saturday, it was reported that the Williams deal was voided after the 23-year-old center failed to pass his physical. The injury-prone big man reportedly had too many concerns surrounding him that the Lakers didn't feel comfortable with the deal.
The team currently has no healthy centers other than Jaxson Hayes. Another big man is needed to soak up regular-season minutes, provide rim protection, and be a pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
At this stage of the season, the pickings are obviously slim in free agency. Here are the four best options for the Lakers.
Daniel Theis
The 32-year-old center started the season on the New Orleans Pelicans but was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the deadline and was subsequently waived.
The German big man may choose to sign with a Euroleague team and end his career in Europe, but he should still be able to contribute if he were to come to Los Angeles.
Theis is not the rim-runner and finisher Doncic likes playing with but he provides outside shooting and spacing. He is a low-level three-and-D option who has a lot of postseason experience. As a short-term stopgap, the Lakers could do much worse than the competent veteran.