NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers among 6 teams vying for $4,000,000 Jamaican center ahead of trade deadline

Between now and February's trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be buyers as they look to bolster their roster for a deep postseason run. As LA sits in sixth place in the Western Conference, a true center seems to be the missing piece of the Lakers' puzzle after acquiring a defensive-minded wing in Dorian Finney-Smith.

Now, according to Forbes' Evan Sidery, the Lakers are among six teams showing an interest in Hornets center Nick Richards. The 27-year-old has been with the Hornets ever since a draft-day trade from New Orleans back in 2020.

Last season, he averaged career-highs across the board with 9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, and given that he's continued to impress this season, it sounds as though LA could be a suitor ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday, Sidery reported that the LA Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns are all interested in Richards.

With the Hornets sitting in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, the team is reportedly open to parting ways with veterans like Richards if it means acquiring draft capital.

Given that LA still has their own first and second-round picks starting in 2026, the team could look to part ways with assets to acquire a true center in the Jamaican-born Richards.

Looking at the latest LA Lakers trade rumors ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline

With the new year underway and the Feb. 6 trade deadline right around the corner, the clock is ticking for Rob Pelinka and Co. After acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Bones Hyland from Brooklyn, the team has made it clear that they aren't done yet.

Atop their list of needs is a true center, and according to widespread reports over the past few months, the team is expected to target Jonas Valanciunas along with other centers such as Robert Williams or Walker Kessler.

While LA has long had Jonas Valanciunas in their sights, according to ESPN's Michael Wright, the Wizards' asking price may be too much for LA, leaving the team looking elsewhere for a center.

In a piece for ESPN this week ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, he was quoted as saying:

"It has been rumored that Los Angeles is hoping to land the Washington Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas as it still holds a couple of second-round picks as assets. But Washington's asking price might be too rich for the Lakers, which will surely have competition for Valanciunas' services."

The big question when it comes to Williams (AKA Timelord) is whether LA is willing to part ways with assets for a player who has played just 12 games this season, and missed 76 games last year.

In the case of Kessler, much like Valanciunas, the asking price for the young big man may be too much, however, given that Kessler is just 23 years old, the appeal of acquiring a young player may entice Pelinka ahead of the deadline.