Report: Lakers ‘Won’t’ Trade For Kristaps Porzingis

According to NBA insider Dan Woike of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers won’t trade for Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis.

The Lakers need a center, but they won’t reunite Porzingis with Luka Doncic. 

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

Doncic and Porzingis were teammates on the Dallas Mavericks. They didn’t have a good relationship. 

Boston is expected to trade Porzingis this offseason. The franchise already traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons.

The Lakers will attempt to acquire a center this offseason after trading Anthony Davis to the Mavericks in the Doncic deal. 

“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,” Woike 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.”

The Lakers, despite having Doncic and NBA legend LeBron James, lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of this year’s playoffs in five games. Their lack of a center prevented them from stopping Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid. 

Rob Pelinka told local reporters during his end-of-the-season press conference that he will attempt to acquire a center this offseason. 

“We know this offseason, one of our primary goals is going to be to add size in our frontcourt at the center position,” Pelinka said. “This roster needs more size and needs a center. That’s a very clear and obvious by-product of trading potentially the best big in the league to Dallas to get a point guard. Of course, that’s going to open up a huge hole.

“The trade deadline and the moments up to it don’t allow you the requisite time to explore every single unturned stone to add a big to our roster. We just didn’t have the time after the Luka trade. But now we do.”