The Los Angeles Lakers did not land their center in the free agent market. Perhaps, they could find it via trade.

Michael Scotto of Hoopshype reported that the Lakers were one of the several teams that showed interest in Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards.

“Richards has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.

Richards is a “trade candidate to monitor,” according to Scotto, after the Suns landed his former Charlotte Hornets teammate Mark Williams and added No. 10 pick Khaman Maluach out of Duke in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Lakers traded for Williams at the trade deadline but rescinded it after the former Duke star failed his physical.

The Suns acquired Williams for the No. 29 pick (Liam McNeeley) and a 2029 first-round pick, which will be the least-favorable of picks from the Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves (top-five protected), according to ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania.

It was a package less than what the Lakers gave up (Dalton Knecht, unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap) in the rescinded Williams trade.

Nick Richards, Lakers, Suns

Isaiah Hartenstein of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball in front of Nick Richards of the Phoenix Suns.

Richards, 27, has a $5 million non-guaranteed salary for the 2025-26 season. But Scotto added that the Suns are expected to guarantee his salary, which will give the team the ability to trade him.

The 7-foot center who has a 7-foot-4 wingspan averaged nearly a double-double per game last season.

He posted 9.3 points on 59.1% shooting, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 22 minutes per game while splitting time with the Hornets and the Suns last season. The former Kentucky Wildcat started in 43 of 57 games.

Lakers Miss Out on Free Agent Center Targets

The Lakers’ center options are dwindling after two of their reported targets signed with other teams.

Brook Lopez chose instead Lakers’ crosstown rivals Los Angeles Clippers while Clint Capela joined Finney-Smith in Houston.

Both veteran centers signed for more than what the Lakers can offer after the LaRavia signing.

Lopez agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal, per Charania. On the other hand, Capela agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Rockets, Charania added.

Kevon Looney left the Golden State Warriors for the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-year, $16 million deal, according to Charania. Day’Ron Sharpe agreed to return to the Brooklyn Nets on a two-year, $12 million deal, according to Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto.

Only 39-year-old Al Horford and Deandre Ayton, who is finalizing a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, are the legitimate centers left in the free agent market.

Ayton will be available to join any team once he clears waivers on Wednesday, July 2.

Jake LaRavia Replaces Dorian Finney-Smith

Jake LaRavia, Lakers

Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket past Jake LaRavia, who agreed to a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers quickly pivoted after losing their top 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets.

They replaced him with 23-year-old wing Jake LaRavia, who agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers, according to Charania. Finney-Smith bolted the Lakers to join the Rockets for a four-year, $53 million contract.

According to salary cap expert Yossi Gazlan, the Lakers used a portion of their $14.1 million full midlevel exception to sign LaRavia.

The Sacramento Kings were interested in retaining LaRavia, who finished the season strong with them, but they were limited to $5.1 million annual salary. The Lakers outbid them by dipping into their full MLE, offering $5.8 million in annual salary, which is slightly above the taxpayer MLE.