Lakers Reportedly Have Discussed Claxton, Kessler, Robert Williams Trades amid Rumors
It is no secret the Los Angeles Lakers need to bolster their frontcourt if they are going to contend in the daunting Western Conference next season, and they reportedly have discussed multiple options early in the offseason.
Anthony Irwin of Clutch Points reported Tuesday the Lakers' "internal plan is to trade for their starting center" and added they have "held conversations with other teams about Nic Claxton, Robert Williams, Walker Kessler and others."
Irwin also listed Brook Lopez and Clint Capela as potential backup options to add with the taxpayer midlevel, although he pointed out the Lakers' clear and obvious need for frontcourt help limits their leverage in any discussions and will make executing such a plan all the more difficult.
While Los Angeles' trade for Luka Dončić generated the most headlines this season, it also attempted to add big man Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets.
However, that trade was rescinded, which left the Purple and Gold significantly undersized for the playoffs since they shipped out Anthony Davis in the Dončić trade. That lack of size proved problematic as they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the first round.
It is also the biggest thing standing in the way of a team with a dynamic duo of LeBron James and Dončić from being a legitimate contender in the West.
Players such as Claxton, Kessler and Robert Williams wouldn't be foundational-altering stars who would etch their place among Lakers greats. But they also wouldn't have to be given the team's overall roster makeup.
With James, Dončić and Austin Reaves expected to lead the way on offense, the team simply needs rebounding and rim protection down low. The ability to work in a pick-and-roll as a rim-runner when defenders focus too much attention on those stars would also help round out the overall attack.
Whether the Lakers can add one or two of those centers who could help do that during the coming weeks will go a long way toward determining whether they can be seen as real contenders at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
