Breaking: The Los Angeles Lakers Are Targeting A “Big Man”. Who Will The Lakers Trade For?

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly stated that Marc Gasol has not panned out the way that the Lakers expected. Gasol was supposed to be a significant contributor off the Lakers bench. However, father time has hit it a lot faster than expected. The Lakers are targeting a championship and need players that can effectively contribute on both ends of the floor. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for the former champion, and as a result, the Lakers are looking for some options to aid their situation. 

When deciphering the Lakers roster, the lack of a center is present, especially after factoring in Anthony Davis’s unfortunate calf injury. Davis has missed a significant portion of the season due to his injury and will most likely average fewer minutes when he returns. However, if the Lakers cannot find a reliable starting center, then the Lakers would have no choice but to play Davis a lot more. It is clear that the Lakers want to win back-to-back championships and will need all the firepower they can get just to match the Brooklyn Nets roster. Since the season started, the Nets have attained an MVP candidate in James Harden and a former All-Star in Blake Griffin. Even though Blake is not the same player he once was, he will still be one of the best players on the Nets roster. 

Brooklyn made significant moves this season and will probably win executive of the year. Trading for Harden seemed impossible at the start of the season, but with dedication, a past fantasy is now a reality. The Lakers every day are looking less likely to go back to back and need to figure out how to compete against the Nets roster. With many players in the trade or free agency, let’s breakdown who the Lakers should trade or sign. 

Note: As previously mentioned, the Lakers are targeting another “big man” in hopes of replacing Marc Gasol. Even though the Lakers would want to trade Gasol, he will most likely remain on the team due to how low his production is this season. 

LaMarcus Aldridge

After Blake Griffin got bought out by the Detroit Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs followed and bought out LaMarcus Aldridge. With Aldridge being on the last year of his contract before getting bought out, the Spurs were certain that a trade would have happened. However, Aldridge is a free agent and has gained interest across the league. Despite Aldridge being a power forward, he could play the center position in small ball situations as he did in San Antonio. 

The Lakers should sign Aldridge as it would not cost them a lot. Aldridge is nowhere near the All-Star calibre player he once was, but he’s still a valuable role player to have on any contending team. Given Anthony Davis’s injury, Aldridge would be a great option to temporarily replace him. Once Davis comes back, Aldridge would become the starting center and another option on the offensive end. 

LaMarcus Aldridge is the cheapest and easiest option for the Lakers to consider and should sign him regardless. He would solely be another offensive weapon for the Lakers to utilize. Last season Aldridge averaged 18.9 PTS, 7.4 REB and 1.6 BLK as the second-option behind DeMar DeRozan. Why wouldn’t they sign him? 

Hassan Whiteside

Similar to LaMarcus Aldridge, Hassan Whiteside last year had a stellar season statistically with the Portland Trailblazers. Entering free agency, Whiteside at first appeared as one of the best options at the center position and was certain to receive a multi-year contract. However, Whiteside signed a one-year minimum deal with the Sacramento Kings as a benchwarmer who only gets 10 minutes a game. 

Whiteside’s drop has been dramatic in the NBA, but it isn’t entirely his fault. The Kings do not believe in him or play him enough to make a good enough impact. When Richaun Holmes was briefly injured, Whiteside produced his typical stats and showed optimism that he would have a bigger role in the rotation. Unfortunately, this has not been the case, and it is clear that Whiteside needs to play for a different team. 

When factoring in Whiteside’s unfortunate drop-off, his trade value is little to none, making a trade for him quite simple. Here is what the Lakers could offer to the Sacramento Kings. 

Sacramento receives- Markieff Morris and a 2024 second-round pick

Los Angeles receives- Hassan Whiteside

Hassan would be ideal for the Lakers as he would instantly be a starter while having two responsibilities. Defending inside and rebounding would be the only tasks that Whiteside would have for the Lakers as they already have two elite scorers in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Losing Marfieff Morris hurts the Lakers, but they would no longer need him if they sign Aldridge. Trading a bench player for a starting center is definitely worth it in this situation. 

Andre Drummond

Since the start of the season, Andre Drummond has been rumoured to be traded everywhere. From the Toronto Raptors to the Boston Celtics and now the Los Angeles Lakers, reading or hearing any trade rumours about Drummond has become exhausting. 

The reality is, the Cleveland Cavaliers will most likely buy out Drummond as he has not been traded yet. His trade value is very low while having a considerably large contract. Even though Toronto has expressed interest in the former All-Star, he comes at a great cost hence why he hasn’t been traded yet. The Lakers could successfully add Drummond to their rotation if he gets bought out by Cleveland. 

Andre Drummond on the Lakers would be the best option in replacing Marc Gasol. Even though they could technically trade for him, giving up Montrezl Harrell or Dennis Schroder is too high of a cost for the Lakers rotation. 

Concluding thoughts

The Lakers are in trouble and need to find a fast solution to match the Brooklyn Nets roster. An infinity gauntlet has been created in the Eastern Conference as the Nets are the favourites in making the finals. In terms of the Western Conference, the Lakers could miss the finals due to Anthony Davis’s injury and a lack of a reliable center outside of Montrezl Harrell. The best option for the Lakers right now is to sign LaMarcus Aldridge to a minimum contract and trade for Hassan Whiteside. If the Lakers can do that, they would have brought two players who excel at what they do. Whiteside is an elite shot-blocker and rebounder, while LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the greatest post-scorers in NBA history. Considering how cheap they are, it would be shocking if the Lakers do not trade/sign Hassan Whiteside and LaMarcus Aldridge.