Lakers Miss Shot on Key Free-Agent Target, $48 Million Big Man

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 9:27 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers had their eyes on three potential centers to pair alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James in 2025, but watched one of those candidates sign with the crosstown rival L.A. Clippers on the opening night of free agency.

L.A. lost forward Dorian Finney-Smith to a substantial offer from the Houston Rockets on Monday, June 30, after the Lakers' former starter opted out of the final year of his contract the night before. However, that opened up the full midlevel exception of $14.1 million for Los Angeles, which created real opportunities to go after a legitimate big man.

Dan Woike of The Athletic identified the Lakers' top three targets in that regard Monday.

"Armed with the $14.1 million mid-level exception, the Lakers are expected to chase Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez and the Atlanta Hawks’ Clint Capela, with the surprise addition of Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton as another target on their list," Woike wrote. "The Lakers are not making calls gauging Austin Reaves’ trade value, one of the sources said."

However, Lopez quickly came off the board on Monday night after inking a deal with the Clippers for two-years and $18 million total. Shams Charania of ESPN first reported the contract.

"Lopez, 37, has played 17 years in the NBA. The past seven seasons have been with the Milwaukee Bucks where he won an NBA title after the 2020-21 regular season," Charania wrote. "In 80 games last season with the Bucks, Lopez averaged 13 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks. ... He became a free agent after wrapping up a two-year, $48 million deal with Milwaukee."

The Lakers are now likely to make a strong push for Ayton, who is 10 years Lopez's junior.

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

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