The NBA world was sent spinning off its axis when the Dallas Mavericks, just months after making the NBA Finals thanks to the heroic efforts of All-Stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, catapulted Doncic to one of their major Western Conference rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, just ahead of the February trade deadline.
A five-time All-NBA first teamer, the 26-year-old Doncic was sent to L.A. — along with big men Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris — in exchange for 10-time All-Star center/power forward Anthony Davis, and starting Lakers shooting guard Max Christie.
Los Angeles and Dallas both shipped off second round picks to the Utah Jazz, as a thank-you for allowing the Lakers to dump the contract of second-year guard Jalen Hood-Schifino. Utah cut Hood-Schifino, and he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic and LeBron James watch on against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Doncic’s arrival did improve the ceiling of the Lakers for the long-term. He’s a better player, and six years younger, than Davis, and has already proven that he can function as the fulcrum of a Finals-caliber offense.
But ditching Davis left the Lakers will a massive hole at a position of need, one that de facto replacement Jaxson Hayes — previously Davis’ backup — could not fill. By the end of the Lakers’ (brief) playoff run, Hayes had become a DNP – CD.
.@alanhahn weighs in on if Luka can get LeBron and the Lakers a championship:
"They can get a championship If they get a center. They need a big man. It's as simple as that." pic.twitter.com/DqRirdOL88
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 13, 2025
In a Friday installment of ESPN’s “Get Up,” expert Alan Hahn revealed the key position the Lakers need to upgrade should they want to win their 18th league title with Doncic in tow.
“They can get a championship If they get a center,” Hahn said. “They need a big man. It’s as simple as that.”
Beyond pricey players like 3-and-D Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner and Minnesota Timberwolves sixth man Naz Reid (who has a $15 million player option that he seems likely to decline), the free agent market for centers is relatively scarce. And the Lakers couldn’t afford Turner or Reid without moving some salaries.
Los Angeles could likely use its mid-level exception on a sharpshooting big man like Milwaukee Bucks centers Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis (the latter of whom has a $13.4 million player option) or Boston Celtics backup center/power forward Al Horford, or rim-rolling Atlanta Hawks vet Clint Capela. All of these options, however, have fairly low ceilings at this stage of their careers.
Doncic seemed to thrive in Dallas alongside lob threats, which would make Turner, Reid and to a lesser extent Capela the top free agent options. The Lakers could also explore the trade market.