The Los Angeles Lakers secured a ‘three and d’ wing, Dorian Finney-Smith, via trade last week. The next item on their list for the Lakers is a backup center. While they have long been linked to Washington Wizards center, Jonas Valanciunas, more targets have been identified.
According to Clutch Points Senior Lakers Insider, Anthony Irwin, “Lakers sources say they’ve held internal conversations about Robert Williams of the Portland Trail Blazers, Nick Richards of the Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn’s Day’Ron Sharpe, and Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.”
Lakers Internally Discussing Big Man Trade Options
The Lakers and the Jazz were close on a deal this summer that would have sent Kessler to LA, but according to Irwin, the Jazz were concerned that Kessler would give LA a competitive advantage for years to come. Jazz CEO of Basketball Operations, “Danny Ainge has expressed concern that Kessler would stop the Lakers from fully bottoming out as Davis ages and after LeBron James retires.”
Valanciunas still seems to be a top target, but ‘Washington is now canvassing the league for a better offer than L.A. can now make, though teams are pretty wary of Valanciunas’ contract, which extends into next season but isn’t guaranteed in ’26-27.’
It was reported in mid-December that the Wizards and Lakers already have a deal in place. “Valanciunas becomes eligible to be traded on Dec. 15, and the two sides have already discussed the framework of a couple of different scenarios, league sources said.”
That being said, with D’Angelo Russell, Max Lewis, and three second-round picks, now in the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, that framework may have fallen apart. Although, based on previous reporting, they are still willing to move on from Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent.
Hoops Hype, Michael Scotto described a trade scenario that may unmoor the 6 foot 11 inch Lithuanian out of Washington to southern California.
“Keep an eye on Los Angeles potentially dangling [Gabe] Vincent and future second-round picks to try and land Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas, a coveted target for LA. Vincent has been a disappointment for the Lakers since signing a three-year, $33 million deal due to injuries and inefficient shooting. Los Angeles will look to include him as a salary filler with draft pick compensation in trade talks.”