With the 2025 NBA Draft and free agency on the horizon, the Los Angeles Lakers will look to address various needs on the roster to build around the trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves heading into next season.
One of the more pressing needs for the Lakers this offseason is to find an adequate center who can protect the rim on defense, while also being a competent offensive threat. This season, the Lakers struggled to find a solution in the middle after trading star Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
Los Angeles could have some options in free agency, such as Clint Capela, who would be the perfect fit for what the Lakers need on both ends. However, the trade market could also be of use to the Lakers.
If they go the trade route, one young center who plays in the Western Conference could be a potential option, especially if his current team takes his replacement in the draft.
According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, the Utah Jazz worked out Duke freshman Khaman Malauch on Wednesday. Jones adds that Maluach is in the convo for the fifth overall pick, who is one of the best big men in this year’s class.
Duke freshman Khaman Maluach was in Salt Lake City and worked out for the Utah Jazz today, League Sources tell The Athletic. Maluach is in the conversation for Utah's number 5 pick. He is one of the best big men in the draft
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 18, 2025
If the Jazz take Malauch, who had a solid freshman year at Duke, at No. 5, the Lakers should call Utah about Walker Kessler’s availability.
The 23-year-old center is under contract for this upcoming season before hitting restricted free agency in 2026-27.
Last season, the former first-round pick averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds in 30 minutes per game in 58 starts (all career-highs). Kessler also had a 130 ORtg (offensive rating) and 115 DRtg (defensive rating).
It won’t be easy for the Lakers to obtain Kessler, who has been a serviceable young center in Utah. However, if Los Angeles doesn’t like the free-agent options, they might have to consider using Dalton Knecht in a potential deal, which could entice a rebuilding squad like the Jazz.
That being said, it will be interesting to see how everything plays out between the draft and the start of free agency. The Lakers must find a big man if they want to compete in the West and make it out of the first round.