The Lakers’ summer makeover is still rolling, and the next move could come in the frontcourt.
After reshaping the roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, Los Angeles has now been linked to free agent center Nick Richards, a 7-foot rim protector who would give the team another defensive body behind Walker Kessler. The Lakers already made one major swing by landing Kessler, then quickly created another opening when they sent Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards.
ESPN reported the Kessler deal this way: “The Los Angeles Lakers started the process of remaking their roster in the wake of LeBron James' decision to leave with a blockbuster trade and a trio of free agency signings Wednesday. Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that the Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030,” ESPN wrote.
Not long after that, Ayton was out the door. As ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported, “The Los Angeles Lakers are trading center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks in 2031 and 2032, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote.
That left Los Angeles without a clear backup center behind Kessler, and Richards has emerged as a possible answer. NBA reporter Evan Sidery said, “The Heat, Knicks and Lakers are among the teams to show free agent interest in Nick Richards. One of the best remaining centers on the open market, Richards would sign to a contender for the veteran’s minimum,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
Richards has spent most of his career in a reserve role, but his size and shot-blocking ability make him an obvious fit for a team trying to tighten up the paint. He has earned $19 million throughout his NBA career.
The catch for the Lakers is that they are not alone. The Knicks and Heat are in the mix, and both offer competition for a player who could help any contender. Still, Los Angeles appears intent on building a tougher, more defensive roster around Doncic and Reaves, and adding Richards would fit that direction neatly.
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