The Los Angeles Lakers' center woes are well-documented at this point. Their failure to add a quality center at the trade deadline likely cost the Lakers a deep postseason run as they were forced to play small for extended stretches. Adding a starting center will once again be at the top of the offseason priority list for general manager Rob Pelinka.
Due to the limited financial resources, the Lakers will likely have to turn to the trade market to find a high-end starter. One of their top trade targets was revealed by ESPN's Dave McMenamin in his appearance on "Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre" on Thursday.
McMenamin said that before the Mark Williams trade was rescinded at the deadline, the Lakers called the Atlanta Hawks for Onyeka Okongwu. Even though those talks didn't go anywhere, it's safe to assume that the Lakers will revisit the trade.
Lakers Will Likely Call the Hawks for Onyeka Okongwu This Offseason
Okongwu's fit in Los Angeles is undeniable.
The former 2020 sixth-overall pick doesn't have elite size or length (6-foot-8, 235 lbs), but he is a solid defender. He can switch out to the perimeter and guard multiple positions while being able to protect the rim — something the Lakers struggled to do following Anthony Davis' departure.
Offensively, he isn't the best lob threat to pair with Luka Doncic, but he is a solid finisher with soft hands. Most interestingly, he expanded his range behind the three-point line last season (32.4% shooting on 4.6 three-point attempts per game), providing spacing and an opportunity for the Lakers to play a five-out system.
At 24 years old, Okongwu fits the Luka Doncic-Austin Reaves timeline. He is under contract for three more seasons for about $48 million total. That is a bargain deal for a player still improving, especially if L.A. wants to remain competitive amid LeBron James' uncertain future.
The Lakers would have to part ways with a first-round pick and, potentially, more draft capital, similar to how they did in the Mark Williams trade. If former USC Trojan is attainable on that type of package, it behooves GM Pelinka to pursue Okongwu once again, giving Los Angeles the dynamic frontcourt presence it so desperately needs.