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Lakers Not Interested in Trading for 27-Year-Old Big Man

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 12:53 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to attempt to acquire a big man this offseason for All-Stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

The Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in the Doncic deal, creating a void at the big man spot.

Los Angeles lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. Head coach JJ Redick played without a center in the second half of Game 4 and all of Game 5 because Jaxson Hayes was getting outplayed by Rudy Gobert.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Lakers have maintained a longstanding interest in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. However, the Jazz are not expected to trade Kessler this offseason.

Stein also reports that the Lakers are not interested in trading for Utah big man John Collins.

"Collins had a strong 2024-25 campaign, but I'm told any suggestion that the Lakers are a trade suitor for the 27-year-old is a mischaracterization," Stein wrote.

Collins has a player option worth $26.6 million for next season. The 27-year-old played in 40 games for the Jazz this season. He averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 52.7% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 84.8% from the free-throw line.

Collins has played for the Atlanta Hawks and Jazz. He has career averages of 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 472 NBA games.

At his end-of-the-season press conference, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said his primary goal is to get a center this offseason. It will be interesting to see where this search ends for the Lakers.

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

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