Lakers Urged to Strike Trade for New $61 Million Starter
Lakers Urged to Strike Trade for New $61 Million Starter originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
One of the Los Angeles Lakers' concerns last season is the frontcourt. After trading away All-Star forward Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic, the Lakers didn't have an elite big man for the rest of the season. The team settled for Jaxson Hayes as their starting center, which wasn't enough.
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The player that has been linked to the Lakers for a long time is Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. However, another trade prospect has emerged for the organization. Atlanta Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu could become available as a trade target.
This is because of the Hawks' recent trade move, acquiring 7-foot-2 big man Kristaps Porzingis. The Latvian center is a championship-caliber starter and could very well be the favorite to take over the starting spot for the team in the 2025-26 season.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Last season, Okongwu started in 40 of the 74 games he appeared in. There was an expectation that the young big man would be the team's official starting center next season. However, the recent trade move that led them to acquire Porzingis suggests otherwise.
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This gives the Lakers the perfect opportunity to trade for the 6-foot-10 forward-center. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox suggested that L.A. should make a trade for Okongwu, if Kessler isn't available in the trade market.
"With Porziņģis headed to Atlanta, Okongwu may now be even more available than he otherwise might have been this offseason. Regardless, he should become L.A.'s top trade target if Kessler is indeed unavailable," Knox wrote.
It's a good move for the Lakers since Okongwu is on a team-friendly contract. The big man will be on the second year of his four-year, $61.9 million contract. This allows the organization to have more flexibility and add players as they try to contend for a championship.
With the Hawks, Okongwu has averaged 9.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He had his best year last season, as he put up 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Related: Hawks Among Favorites to Land $251 Million 3-Time All-Star in NBA Trade
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
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