The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the 2024-25 NBA season as a bit of a mystery. With their superstar duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, leading the way, they aim to be among the top contenders for the championship. The team’s success hinges on keeping their stars and the rest of the roster healthy and on the court. While the Lakers believe they have a competitive squad, there are doubts about whether their roster is strong enough to go all the way. Despite their confidence, they’re reportedly considering trades to strengthen their lineup.
According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, the Lakers are looking into trading for a center, as Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood are still recovering from offseason surgeries. Charania mentioned, “Sources tell me the Lakers have been exploring potentially adding a big man, a center, to their roster.” The exact timing of this move remains uncertain, but it’s clear that the Lakers are actively searching the market.
Both Vanderbilt and Wood are expected to play important roles this season, though their return to the court might take a while. Vanderbilt’s availability for the season opener on October 22 is uncertain as he recovers from foot procedures and will miss training camp and the preseason. Wood, who underwent knee surgery in September, is also set to miss the start of the season. If his recovery goes as planned, he could return by mid to late November.
The Lakers’ pursuit of another center has been ongoing, but the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has complicated trade efforts, slowing down their offseason moves. While there’s no guarantee of a trade happening, the team is committed to finding the right player to support Davis. For now, the Lakers will rely on Jaxson Hayes, who averaged 4.3 points in 12.5 minutes per game last season, along with Colin Castleton, who played in 16 NBA games last season, and Christian Koloko, a two-way player who joined the Lakers after recovering from health issues.
