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Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James Gives Big Shoutout to 1 Unsung Hero for Stepping Up After Anthony Davis' Departure 2 Feb 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) moves to the basket against Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers Narrow Down Big Man Search to 3 Names

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 3:36 AM ET

The search for a starting center for the Los Angeles Lakers has started. It’s one of the team’s main concerns from last year, after their attempt to add Mark Williams via trade didn’t work out. As the 2025 NBA Free Agency approaches, the Lakers have narrowed down the list of players who they think could solve their big man problems.

According to Anthony Irwin, ClutchPoints’ NBA insider, the Lakers have drawn interest in three big men in the open market. The names mentioned in his report are a significant upgrade from Jaxson Hayes. Not that Hayes isn’t a decent frontcourt player, but other players fit the team’s system on both ends better.

The Lakers have also started to monitor veteran centers as potential backups to whoever they sign in the offseason.

“Irwin reported on the Lakers’ recent updates on their roster on Tuesday.“Sources close to the team reiterated that the internal plan is to trade for their starting center – sources say they’ve held conversations with other teams about Nic Claxton, Robert Williams, Walker Kessler and others – then, ideally, use the taxpayer midlevel on his backup – Brook Lopez and Clint Capela are the two names most often linked to the Lakers. It’s a solid plan that they’re considered likely to be able to execute,” Irwin wrote.

“But, because of their clear and desperate need at the position, such an approach is going to be a lot more complicated than it would’ve been had they not neglected the position the past couple of seasons.”

The three potential starting centers for the Los Angeles Lakers are under contract, and trading for them is the only way to acquire them. The two backup centers, meanwhile, are unrestricted free agents.

A Los Angeles Lakers star expects to be ready for training camp for the 2025-26 season

Los Angeles Lakers Narrow Down Big Man Search to 3 Names 2 Feb 4, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball as center Jaxson Hayes (11) provides coverage against Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

During the 2025 NBA playoffs, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James sustained a Grade 2 MCL sprain against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was one of the reasons why James wasn’t 100% against the Anthony Edwards-led team, resulting in an early postseason exit.

On Tuesday, James spoke to the Associated Press and updated his knee.

“I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I’m as close to 100 percent as possible when training camp begins in late September,” James said.

James will enter his 23rd season in the NBA, a new record. He’ll be the only player to play at least 23 seasons. So far, he’s tied with former NBA star Vince Carter for the most seasons played in the league at 22.

Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James Reveals the Truth About the Knee Injury He Sustained in the 2025 NBA Playoffs 4 Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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