The Lakers’ frontcourt still has a loose end to tie up.
Los Angeles already made a major investment in Walker Kessler this summer, and that move paid off Wednesday night. Even so, there’s still a clear drop-off once Kevon Looney enters the game, which is why the team keeps looking for another center option.
According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, the Lakers are continuing to survey the market for big men. “The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic," Woike reported.
"They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Mamukelashvili can play the position, too. The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Thybulle.
The roster is currently at full capacity.”
Los Angeles also explored a possible move for Jericho Sims just last week. “League sources say that the Lakers and Bucks have held exploratory trade discussions on a framework that would ship former first-round selection Dalton Knecht to Milwaukee (along with second-round draft capital) in exchange for big man Jericho Sims," Jake Fischer wrote on the Stein Line."Yet it must be said that I've also heard some pessimism from sources briefed on those talks that such a trade will actually go through."
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale has another name in mind: Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington.
“PJ Washington comes close to meeting that criterion. He fits like a glove next to Walker Kessler at the 5 when his three-ball is falling, and though he's not a defender who turns the water off, he can be moved up and down the matchup ladder. Head coach JJ Redick can even use him for backup-center tick when Kessler is catching a breather,” Favale wrote.
Washington wouldn’t arrive as a classic bruising center, but he does bring athleticism and enough frontcourt flexibility to matter. He also has Finals experience with Luka Doncic from their run with the Mavericks, which would give him a familiar connection to one of the Lakers’ biggest names.
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For a team still sorting through its early-season rhythm, any injury note on Flagg is going to draw immediate attention. The first designation at least offers some hope that the injury is not viewed as something more serious, but the Mavericks have not offered a detailed update yet, leaving the next postgame check on his condition as the key item to watch. [Read more 🡒]