Lakers predicted to trade for $60M elite defender, former first-rounder to pair with Luka Doncic originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have an interesting season ahead as they prepare to see how they perform without LeBron James for the first time in nearly a decade. Now, it is officially the era of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in Los Angeles.
The Lakers have built an intriguing roster, to say the least, but there are still some moves that need to be made. Los Angeles has a few holes to fill before the season gets underway.
“There are, however, obvious holes. With 16 roster spots, the Lakers would need to get rid of at least one player, though they can carry as many as 20 through training camp in October," Heavy.com's Sean Deveney wrote.
One of those areas of concern is the center position. The Lakers have been exploring potential options, whether through free agency or the trade market.
“The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic," The Athletic's Dan Woike reported. "They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Mamukelashvili can play the position, too. The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Thybulle. The roster is currently at full capacity."
Lake Show Life’s Maxwell Ogden believes the Lakers should consider trading for Isaiah Stewart to further strengthen their frontcourt.
“It's a bit of a long shot, but it's one Los Angeles should seriously pursue if the opportunity arises to do so. Minutes at the 4 and 5 spots are going to be tough to come by in Memphis, and Stewart's $15 million salary could make him too expensive to justify retaining beyond this season. After Stewart ranked in the 98th percentile in rim protection and overall screener defense in 2025-26, per Basketball Index, it's impossible to view him as anything other than an elite defender,” Ogden wrote.
Stewart would give the Lakers another strong defensive presence in the frontcourt, and there is little doubt that his physicality and rim protection could help the team. Doncic could also elevate Stewart's offensive game, particularly as a pick-and-roll partner, which could make the big man an even more valuable piece.
Stewart is currently on a $60 million contract, and the Lakers could potentially view him as a more reliable frontcourt option than Kevon Looney. Los Angeles knows it needs additional depth at the position, and Stewart could provide exactly that.
More NBA news:
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- Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves reportedly in bidding war for $46M ex-Warriors NBA champion
- Lakers hit major hiccup in pursuit of ex-Warriors champion Jonathan Kuminga amid Peyton Watson deal
- Lakers receive positive update for landing Nuggets' Nikola Jokic after Peyton Watson trade
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