![\"JJ](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-2178622015-e1736075505899.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=780\")
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With the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the busier teams. Rob Pelinka has already acquired Dorian Finney-Smith in a four-player trade with the Brooklyn Nets.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, thay trade could be a precursor to what\u2019s to come. The Lakers need to add more depth at the center. Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes have failed to establish themselves as legitimate difference-makers within the Lakers\u2019 rotation.<\/p>\n
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, a move for Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz could make sense. Pincus even provided a framework for a potential deal between the two franchises. The trade looks like this:<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Lakers receive:\u00a0<\/strong>Walker Kessler<\/p>\n Utah Jazz receive:\u00a0<\/strong>Christian Wood, the removal of top-4 protection on the Lakers\u2019 2027 first-rounder and a 2029 first-round draft pick.<\/p>\n \u201cKessler would give coach JJ Redick the flexibility to play another rim-protecting big alongside\u00a0Anthony Davis, depending on matchups,\u201d Pincus explained. \u201cThat\u2019s not currently an option, and the lack of size seemed to show up most over the last two postseasons against the\u00a0Denver Nuggets. Kessler, 23, is still young and inexpensive next year at $4.9 million. With this and the recent trade with the Nets, the Lakers would have tremendous size and depth at the big positions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Kessler, 23, is averaging a double-double this season, providing the Jazz with 10.4 points and 11.1 rebounds over 27 games.<\/p>\n Walker is a high-upside young talent. He has proven capable of being an elite rim protector in the NBA. However, if the Lakers prefer to add more experience in the middle of the floor, they could look elsewhere.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0HoopsHype\u2019s Michael Scotto,\u00a0Jonas Valanciunas\u00a0is another big man the\u00a0Lakers are expected to pursue.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving acquired the wing defender they sought in Finney-Smith, the next item for the Lakers on their list is a backup center,\u201d Scotto reported. \u201cThe Lakers will continue to try and acquire Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas or another backup center on the trade market with their remaining future second-round draft capital, and\u00a0Gabe Vincent\u00a0is expected to be dangled in talks as well, league sources told HoopsHype.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Similarly to Walker, Valanciunas is a physically imposing big man who excels on the glass and can protect the rim. However, he is also a better floor-spacer due to his ability to knock down three-point shots. Given his ability to play on the perimeter, the Lakers may see him as an ideal fit next to Anthony Davis.<\/p>\n If rebounding and perimeter scoring is what the Lakers are looking for,\u00a0Nikola Vucevic\u00a0could also emerge as a potential target. The veteran big man is reportedly available as the\u00a0Chicago Bulls\u00a0wait to kickstart their rebuilding efforts.<\/p>\n Vucevic has been linked with multiple teams around the NBA. However, the Lakers have trade assets and a need for position. As such, Vucevic could emerge as a potential under-the-radar target for Pelinka and the front office.<\/p>\n Pelinka has three genuine options for upgrading its center position. Any of the potential additions could help unlock Davis, who prefers to play a power-forward role. Furthermore, with\u00a0LeBron James\u00a0at the three, JJ Redick would have significant size within his rotation. Perhaps then, the Lakers could find some consistency and emerge as a potential playoff threat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the busier teams. Rob Pelinka has already acquired Dorian Finney-Smith… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23520,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23518","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\nLakers Could Target Jonas Valanciunas<\/h2>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNikola Vucevic is Another Available Big Man<\/h2>\n