Major trade idea gives the Lakers a defensive monster at center

USA Today

03-06-2025

Major trade idea gives the Lakers a defensive monster at center
To make a baseball analogy, some people want the Los Angeles Lakers to swing for the fences and look to hit a home run rather than simply get a base hit single when it comes to pursuing a legitimate starting center this offseason.
Names such as Nic Claxton, Daniel Gafford and even Jarrett Allen, who was named to the NBA All-Star Game three years ago, have been tossed around as possible targets. But one writer for ClutchPoints proposed a trade idea that would land the Lakers someone who has not only been an All-Star three times and the Defensive Player of the year four times, but also recently torched them in the playoffs.
That's right — this trade idea would give the Purple and Gold none other than the French Rejection — otherwise known as Rudy Gobert. In this mock trade, they would give up guards Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent and big man Maxi Kleber to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and they would also receive Josh Minott, a little-used 22-year-old small forward.
Via ClutchPoints:
"Doing business with the team that just bested them in the playoffs wouldn't be easy for the Lakers, but there might not be a better center option available, and LA needs to maximize LeBron James' time in the league alongside Doncic before he retires," wrote Bailey Bassett.
"Gobert has notably declined, evidenced by a 1.4 block per game average this past season. That mark was tied for Gobert's worst since his rookie year. He is also incredibly limited on offense when it comes to his post-up game, ball-handling skills, and jump shot.
"Even so, Gobert is still an elite defensive player. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is still one of the best rim protectors in the NBA. Ultimately, the Lakers just need a big body who can take up space down low and collect rebounds."
This would be a high-risk, high-reward trade for the Lakers — not too much unlike the 2022 trade that brought Minnesota Gobert for four serviceable role players and four future first-round draft picks. In addition to his vast offensive limitations, Gobert seems to have some difficulties playing effective defense on the perimeter, as Luka Doncic proved in this year's playoffs, as well as last year's Western Conference finals.
But his career average of 11.7 rebounds a game would greatly help a Lakers team that lacks power on the boards. He would also be an excellent target for lob passes from Doncic.
Ultimately, this may be a trade idea the Lakers would want to turn down, depending on the other options they may or may not have elsewhere. Reaves shouldn't be untouchable, but he shouldn't be traded for someone such as Gobert who has serious limitations in his game on both ends of the court.