Lakers Contact 6-Foot-10 Forward in Trade Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Los Angeles Lakers enter the NBA offseason with plenty of questions after a disappointing first-round playoff exit. Despite acquiring Luka Doncic in February to pair with LeBron James, the team fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending the season earlier than expected.
Now with James turning 40 and entering his 23rd NBA season, the Lakers know their championship window is closing. Management is reportedly determined to build a stronger roster around their aging superstar.
One area that clearly needs improvement is the center position. The Lakers struggled to find consistency at that spot throughout the 2024-25 season, and their search for an upgrade continues into the summer.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Los Angeles was actively pursuing help at the position and even reached out to the Atlanta Hawks about a potential trade for big man Onyeka Okongwu.
“The Lakers called the Atlanta Hawks about their 6-10, athletic big man Onyeka Okongwu last season,” McMenamin reported."
The Lakers reached out to the Atlanta Hawks last season to inquire about a trade for Onyeka Okongwu, per @mcten
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 28, 2025
(h/t @Fullcourtpass ) pic.twitter.com/l9u36S8qJk
Okongwu, a 24-year-old USC product, was the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He's appeared in 307 regular-season games for Atlanta and posted career-best numbers last season with 13.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game over 74 contests.
His youth, athleticism, and upside make him a compelling trade target for a Lakers team seeking more energy and rim protection in the paint.
Team executive Rob Pelinka, who serves as both general manager and president of basketball operations, acknowledged the volatility expected this summer around the league:
“There is going to be a lot of movement around the NBA. It just feels that way. There are so many aggressive leaders and organizations expecting success now. So I think there will be a lot of opportunities for us to look at. I really do. I’m excited about the offseason and what will come our way.”
The Lakers’ core of James, Doncic, and Austin Reaves will probably remain intact, but much of the rest of the roster remains uncertain. First-year head coach JJ Redick appeared to lose confidence in his center rotation late in the season, further highlighting the need for frontcourt reinforcements.
As the Lakers look to retool on the fly and give LeBron one more shot at the finals, expect trade rumors and roster reshuffling to dominate their summer storyline.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
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