A New Target Emerges In Los Angeles Lakers Quest For A Center

The Los Angeles Lakers broke the internet late Saturday Night when they traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. We have covered this deal extensively at LAFB, so we don’t need to get into all the factoids of the deal, but it did leave them with an even bigger hole at Center.

Leading up to the trade, the biggest need of the team (at least what everyone thought) was a true center. Anthony Davis has been saying for years that he prefers to play at the forward position and would like for the team to add a true center to play alongside him.

But, in the interim, Davis typically held the role of the man in the middle.

Well now that he is gone, the Los Angeles Lakers desperately need to add a talented big man to hold down a depleted frontcourt.

Many names have been discussed over the past months, including Walker Kessler of Utah, Robert Williams from the Portland Trail Blazers, and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers, among others.

Now another name has emerged. Jakob Poeltl.

Insider Links Los Angeles Lakers To Toronto Raptors Big Jakob Poeltl

Los Angeles Lakers Trade Pospect Jakob Poeltl
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

According to Michael Grange of SportsNet, “The Lakers have inquired about him (Peoltl), but the sense is the Raptors are holding out for an offer that would include a first-round pick (likely with a certain level of protection) and the only one the Lakers have left to offer is a 2031 first they’ve been clutching tightly for years.”

“The Lakers know it would be pretty hard – not impossible – to get him,” one source told Grange in regards to a trade possibility.

The 7′ Austrian, and former 9th overall pick is having the best season of his career, averaging 14.4 ppg, 10.3 reb, and shooting 61.1% from the floor. He is still just 29 years old.

While the prospect of landing Poeltl is probably a pipe dream for the Lakers at this point, let’s not forget what happened just 3 days ago.

While LA does not have bountiful draft assets, they do have tradable assets. It would most likely take a third team getting involved, similar to the Doncic trade, as the Raptors are climbing out of a rebuild, not beginning one.

Toronto does not seem to be in fire sale mode, so it will take some pieces to move him.

One name that Grange brings up in his piece is Brandon Ingram of New Orleans. If the Pelicans decide to tear it all down before the deadline on Friday, the Lakers could get both teams involved with the Pelicans sending Ingram to the Raptors and Poeltl to LA.

Buckle up. It’s going to be a ride these next 48 hours.