It’s been nearly a year since the Lakers went all-in at the trade deadline, swinging a deal to bring in Mark Williams - and then quickly pivoting away from him. That move was part of a broader push to build a roster around their newest cornerstone: Luka Dončić. And now, thanks to new reporting, we’re getting a clearer picture of just how involved Luka was in shaping that vision.
According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, shortly after the Lakers acquired Luka, the front office sat down with him in Rob Pelinka’s office and asked a very pointed question: *Which centers do you want to play with? * Luka didn’t just offer general preferences - he named names.
The list included Walker Kessler, Jalen Duren, Nic Claxton, and Onyeka Okongwu. The Lakers reportedly tried to land all of them, packaging promising rookie Dalton Knecht in various offers.
Ultimately, none of those deals materialized. The only player they managed to acquire was Mark Williams, who, according to Buha, was lower on Luka’s wishlist.
This new context is telling. It not only shows the front office’s willingness to collaborate with their franchise player, but it also highlights Luka’s understanding of what kind of big man can elevate his game - and the team’s ceiling.
Let’s break down the names on Luka’s list and why each one made sense.
Walker Kessler has been on the Lakers’ radar for a while now. He’s a traditional rim protector with elite shot-blocking instincts and a developing offensive game.
The Lakers reportedly remained interested in him as recently as this past offseason, but the Jazz have been unwilling to engage in serious talks. That’s not surprising - Kessler’s skill set is rare, and Utah knows what they have.
Jalen Duren is the name that really jumps out. The Lakers reportedly made a push for him at last year’s deadline, but the Pistons held firm - and they’ve been vindicated.
Duren’s breakout season has validated Detroit’s decision to keep him. He’s a physical presence in the paint, a relentless rebounder, and a vertical lob threat - the exact profile that complements Luka’s playmaking.
Nic Claxton has been a fan favorite in Lakers circles for the better part of a year. His switchability on defense and ability to finish around the rim make him an ideal modern center.
But while the fanbase has been vocal, there hasn’t been much concrete reporting linking Claxton to serious trade talks with L.A. Still, his name being on Luka’s list shows the kind of versatile big the Lakers are targeting.
Onyeka Okongwu is another intriguing option. The Lakers reportedly reached out to the Hawks about him during the offseason.
Okongwu’s mobility, defensive instincts, and soft touch around the rim make him a high-upside fit next to Luka. Like the others, though, he’s also a player his current team values highly - and that drives up the asking price.
Mark Williams, the one player the Lakers did manage to acquire (briefly), wasn’t Luka’s top choice. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t a fit, but it does suggest the team settled for a Plan B - or C - when their primary targets proved unavailable.
What ties all these names together is clear: the Lakers are hunting for a lob-catching, rim-protecting big who can thrive in pick-and-roll action and hold his own defensively. And Luka’s input reflects a deep understanding of what he needs to maximize his game. These aren’t just highlight-reel bigs - they’re functional, high-IQ centers who can anchor a defense and finish plays above the rim.
The challenge? That type of center isn’t easy to find - and when teams know you’re looking, the price goes up. But this also raises a broader question: if Luka’s basketball IQ is sharp enough to identify these kinds of complementary pieces, should the Lakers be involving him more in personnel discussions?
Front offices often walk a fine line between player input and organizational control. But in this case, Luka’s wishlist reads less like a fantasy and more like a blueprint. Every name he listed fits the modern mold of a big who can thrive in today’s NBA - and more importantly, thrive with Luka.
As the trade deadline approaches again, the Lakers find themselves in a familiar spot: trying to maximize a generational talent in a win-now window. If Luka’s voice is helping shape that strategy, it might be time to lean into it even more.