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Lakers Expected to Ignore Former All-Star Center With Luka Doncic Ties on Trade Market

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 12:22 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to acquire a center this offseason after trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in the blockbuster Luka Doncic deal in February.

The Lakers, who lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games, played without a traditional center in the second half of Game 4 and all of Game 5.

"The Lakers are absolutely committed to finding a center — the lack of a high-quality big man, along with injuries, was the biggest reason their playoffs ended after just five games," Dan Woike of The Athletic wrote. "Who that center is, though, is still a big question — and the long-term answer might not even be an option as of right now."

Los Angeles acquired Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in February, but the deal was rescinded after Williams failed his physical.

The Lakers won't pursue Williams again. They also won't go after Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis, who played with Doncic in Dallas.

"One thing that won’t happen — another Doncic-Porzingis pairing," Woike wrote. "There’s no indication that anyone wants to see that sequel."

The Celtics, who traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons, are expected to move Porzingis this offseason.

Porzingis will make $30.7 million next season in the final year of his contract.

The 29-year-old Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in the 2024-25 regular season and 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists in the 2025 playoffs for the Celtics.

The All-Star dealt with an illness and he had trouble breathing in the postseason.

It will be fascinating to see who the Lakers acquire this offseason to play the center spot and where Porzingis is playing next season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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