Young Backup Center Considered 'Realistic' Trade Target for Lakers

With the Los Angeles Lakers searching for a variety of centers ahead of free agency and the draft, a backup big from the East has emerged as a potential target and is an intriguing departure from those already connected to the team.

Young Backup Center Considered “Realistic” Trade Target for Lakers

Lakers May Be Landing Spot for Goga Bitadze

Khobi Price, a Lakers beat writer for the Orange County Register, recently mentioned Orlando center Goga Bitadze as a “realistic” potential target for the purple and gold. The 25-year-old’s name popped up as an honorable mention, but his recent success indicates he could fit into a franchise needing help in the middle.

The 18th overall pick by the Pacers in 2019, Bitadze enjoyed a brief rotational role in Indiana before being waived in February 2023, with the Magic adding him days later. This season, he earned career-highs in games played (70) and started (42), as well as minutes per contest (20.4), making the most of his opportunities. Bitadze averaged 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks while shooting 61% from the field, 10% (3/28) from three and 64% from the free-throw line. Despite his productivity, he fell out of the rotation by year’s end, with a mid-January concussion affecting his play in the latter half of the season.

The Georgian center has plenty to offer as an interior scorer, lob threat and rim protector, and his comfortability in the pick-and-roll would be a tremendous asset next to LA’s elite playmakers. With the Lakers facing the possibility of losing Jaxson Hayes in free agency, they’ll need to shore up both the starting and backup center spots. Bitadze’s experience makes him a solid candidate for the latter, with the potential to enter the first unit if need be. In those 42 games as a starter, Bitadze put up 9.1 points (61% FG), 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 blocks.

What the Lakers Could Offer for Goga Bitadze

Bitadze is in the middle of a three-year deal with Orlando and is owed $15.3 million over the next two seasons. On an $8.3 million salary next year, the Lakers could easily match that number with an expiring contract or players on smaller deals.