The Los Angeles Lakers entered the offseason with a clear agenda: fortify the frontcourt. After a disappointing 2024–25 campaign that exposed their lack of size and depth at center, Rob Pelinka and the front office are now in the unenviable position of needing to get creative with limited assets. One of their most logical targets? Steven Adams.
Now, they’ll have to cross his name off the board.
Adams, widely considered one of the most dependable and physically imposing centers in the league, has agreed to a three-year, $39 million extension with the Houston Rockets—removing arguably the Lakers’ best chance at securing a plug-and-play big to anchor their second unit.
Los Angeles Lakers Must Move On To Next Option
It’s a blow to Los Angeles’ offseason plans, particularly given Adams’ strengths align so precisely with their needs. A dominant force on the offensive glass, Adams led the league in offensive rebounding percentage in three of the past four seasons. He’s also a rugged post defender and a top-tier screener—skills that would’ve filled a glaring void for a Lakers team that ranked 27th in second-chance points last year.
Whether or not the Lakers would’ve matched the Rockets’ $13 million-per-year offer is unclear. The team theoretically could’ve used their non-taxpayer mid-level exception to pursue Adams, but reports indicate Houston made re-signing him a top priority—and Adams chose familiarity over exploring the open market.
His return to Houston leaves Los Angeles scrambling for alternatives.
The center market still holds some intriguing options, though none offer quite the same combination of toughness, experience, and rebounding dominance. Among the more realistic free agent or trade targets being discussed are Clint Capela, Brook Lopez, Daniel Gafford, Nic Claxton, Goga Bitadze, and Luke Kornet. Dream scenarios might involve making a run at Naz Reid or Myles Turner, though both would likely require significant trade packages the Lakers may not be positioned to offer.
Pelinka acknowledged during his end-of-season press conference that center was one of the team’s most urgent priorities—and with only one tradable first-round pick and no real cap flexibility, Los Angeles is walking a tightrope. The loss of Adams this early in the offseason narrows an already constrained path to meaningful roster improvement.
The Lakers know they can’t afford to miss again. After falling short of contention this past season, each move carries added weight. And as the market begins to take shape, the list of viable solutions is already beginning to shrink.