The Los Angeles Lakers are patiently waiting for NBA free agency to tip off at 3 p.m. Pacific Time, when they can officially begin negotiating contracts with unsigned players. Until then, we’re left poring over the latest Lakers rumors involving free agency and trades.
One of the loudest Los Angeles Lakers free agency rumors ties them to getting a new starting center after last season’s failed trade for Mark Williams. Now, a new target has emerged.
Recently, ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin reported that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is “zeroed in” on signing former Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez.
“A late development in this run-up to Lopez potentially heading back to Los Angeles was Deandre Ayton getting surprisingly bought out by Portland. While Rob Pelinka likes to bet on draft pedigree and Ayton’s skill set meshes well as a lob threat for Luka Doncic, sources say the Lakers remained zeroed in on Lopez.”
Anthony Irwin on Brook Lopez
While the Los Angeles Lakers surely have other centers on their offseason wish list, targeting a former All-Star like Lopez could make a lot of sense for Los Angeles. For one, he’s a former NBA champion who could also help upgrade the Lakers’ defense while offering an attractive skillset as a stretch big.
He also likely wouldn’t cost much and could see a special opportunity awaiting playing in Los Angeles next to LeBron and Luka.
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