LA Lakers trade rumors: Insider predicts 5 centers as realistic targets including 2x All-Star after Dorian Finney-Smith deal

The LA Lakers are getting busy in the trade market and have stepped in the right direction with their first move. On Sunday, they acquired highly coveted Brooklyn Nets wing-stopper Dorian Finney-Smith for D'Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis. They also added veteran guard Shake Milton in the trade.

The Lakers addressed a positional need with Finney-Smith. They needed a reliable, athletic, and defensively versatile player who could knock down shots at a high clip from 3. 6-foot-7 Finney-Smith, who is shooting 43.5% from 3 this season, provides that.

In addition, the Lakers preserved their two tradeable first-round picks from 2029 and 2030. They added $3.5 million under the second apron, allowing more flexibility for Finney-Smith-level moves. Now, the obvious positional need the Lakers have to fill is at center.

NBA insider Jovan Buha, who covers the LA Lakers for The Athletic, predicted the most realistic candidate the team could acquire. Here's what he said on his podcast, "Buha's Block" on Sunday:

"I would throw in Walker Kessler, Robert Williams, Nikola Vucevic, Jakob Poeltl, Jonas Valanciunas." (33:09)

Buha noted that the Lakers' lack of second-round picks after shipping three to Brooklyn makes their quest for a few targets tricky. LA could now have to include one or two of its remaining first-round picks or add swaps. It might rule out a target like Valanciunas, who is affordable, and not a player worthy of trading a first-round pick for. The Lakers only have one second-round pick left.

---

NBA Trade Rumors: LA Lakers are not done making deals after completing Dorian Finney-Smith pursuit

The LA Lakers are seemingly all in on improving the roster after an impressive 18-13 run through 31 games. They are fifth in the West, exceeding expectations after an up-and-down start. JJ Redick has coached them exceptionally well amid massive injury concerns, while LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves have maintained their play consistently.

The Lakers brass looks confident in spending the remaining assets for additional help. Here's where LA stands, as per insider Shams Charania:

"I'm told the Lakers remain open on potential deals, looking for players that not only fit this current iteration of the Lakers around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but also for the next three to four years under JJ Redick."

Charania's reports suggest the LA Lakers might look for younger players if they plan to keep them long-term under JJ Redick's coaching. Walker Kessler, 23, seems like the ideal fit in this context. He's also a player the Lakers might not hesitate to part ways with a first-round pick for.

The Utah Jazz, Kessler's current team, owns LA's 2027 pick with a top-four protection. LA could unprotect it to sweeten a potential deal.