4 Free Agent Centers Lakers Should Target After Mark Williams Trade Falls Through

Mo Bamba

How bleak the free agent market for centers is couldn't be highlighted better than the fact that Mo Bamba is probably the best player available.

Lakers fans are familiar with Bamba, who was acquired by LA at the 2023 trade deadline in exchange for Patrick Beverley. In the final stretch of the season, Bamba was used very sparingly, appearing in nine regular-season and three postseason games.

After the Lakers' conference finals run, Bamba was waived in the summer of 2023. He then signed a one-year deal with the 76ers but struggled to establish a consistent rotation role there. He signed with the Clippers before the 2024-25 season but was traded to the Utah Jazz last week. The Jazz ended up waiving him, making him a free agent once again.

Throughout his NBA career, Bamba has been more of an intrigue on paper as he was never able to put it together on the basketball court. As a seven-footer with a soft touch and shooting ability, Bamba has the skillset of a modern big man. He has hit 35.7% of his threes throughout his pro career but hasn't grown an offensive game outside of shooting.

Bamba can also protect the rim. His career average of 1.3 blocks per game in only 16.8 minutes of action is why he keeps getting chances in the NBA. His biggest weakness remains his lack of physicality despite his size. He still has the upside that is worthy of a look by the Lakers. At age 26, he is deserving of another opportunity, and that may very well come from the desperate Lakers.