​With LeBron James exiting free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers are prioritizing franchise centerpiece Luka Dončić. Dončić notably requested an “A-list center,” and it appears the Lakers achieved that by adding Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz. In Salt Lake City on Oct 16, 2025, Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) flashed a smile after a great play against the Portland Trail Blazers at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images
During this process, Lakers reserve center Jaxson Hayes departed in free agency—coincidentally to the Jazz—opening the door for Deandre Ayton to potentially fill the backup center role. A post on Instagram from LA Sports Report highlighted the developments.
Then, on Friday morning, the Lakers announced another move that sparked roster questions: Deandre Ayton was traded for guard Jaden Hardy and two Wizards second-round picks in 2031 and 2032, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. The trade, announced Apr 21, 2026, in Los Angeles, ended Ayton’s time with the Lakers as he reacted to a Marcus Smart three-pointer in game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
While those two first-round-picks bolster the return from the Kessler deal, Hardy is a guard, and the Lakers’ most notable addition otherwise is Sandro Mamukelashvili, a 6-foot-9 forward who previously played for the Toronto Raptors. This suggests the Lakers remain in the market for another center, with a veteran name already circulating in trade talk.
Dan Woike of The Athletic surveyed executives about fits for the Lakers, and one name that emerged was Andre Drummond. Woike noted that Drummond, the 6-foot-11, 280-pound center most recently with the Philadelphia 76ers, could immediately bolster the Lakers’ backup center position. Would you want to see Andre Drummond in Lakers gold, or is there another big man you’d prefer they pursue?
The Lakers’ latest move, trading Deandre Ayton and reshaping the roster, continues to raise questions about who will anchor the middle as they pursue a championship-caliber lineup. This recap is from LA Sports Report.