Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ crushing second-round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, attention has quickly shifted toward what could become a pivotal offseason for the franchise.
LeBron James’ future remains uncertain, Austin Reaves’ free agency continues to dominate discussion, and speculation is already building around potential roster additions alongside Luka Doncic.
While a possible pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to generate headlines, the upcoming NBA Draft and the Lakers’ long-standing issues at center are also becoming major talking points.
Lakers Urged to Avoid Veteran Center Options in Free Agency
The frontcourt has remained one of the Lakers’ clearest roster concerns, particularly following the inconsistent campaign of former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton.
Los Angeles is expected to bring back backup center Jaxson Hayes, although the organization is still likely to explore additional frontcourt reinforcements if significant cap space opens up this summer.
Bleacher Report salary cap analyst Eric Pincus recently noted that many of the top younger centers potentially available this offseason, including Jalen Duren, Walker Kessler, and Mark Williams, will enter restricted free agency.
As a result, pursuing those players could force teams into expensive offer sheets that may ultimately prove difficult to justify.
While several alternatives could become available on the market, Pincus identified two veteran big men he believes the Lakers should avoid entirely.
“The Lakers should avoid older veterans like Nikola Vučević and oft-injured Kristaps Porziņģis,” he wrote.
There is growing belief that Vucevic could depart the Boston Celtics after an underwhelming stretch following his midseason arrival.
The veteran center is nearing the end of the three-year, $60 million contract he originally signed with the Chicago Bulls and earned $21.4 million during the 2025-26 season.
Although Vucevic could potentially become available at a lower price depending on his market, Pincus still believes the Lakers should steer clear.
Nikola Vucevic Struggled During Celtics Playoff Run
Across 16 games with Boston to close the season, the 6-foot-9 center averaged 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 43.9% from the field and 34.0% from three-point range.
Those numbers ranked among the weakest statistical stretches of his career outside of his rookie season in 2011-12.
Vucevic also missed time during the second half of the season with a fractured right ring finger, but even when healthy, he struggled to consistently impact games.
During Boston’s playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, he scored just 37 total points while shooting 14-of-37 from the field and 7-of-24 from three-point range across six games and 114 minutes.
As the Celtics searched for solutions in the frontcourt, Vucevic was ultimately removed from the rotation entirely for the crucial Game 7.
“It was the right decision, and frankly, it took too long for Joe Mazzulla to realize what most could plainly see: Vucevic is washed,” Hardwood Houdini’s Ben Handler stated.
Pincus identified Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein as a potentially stronger fit for Los Angeles, although his team option could complicate any pursuit.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has also emerged as another possible unrestricted free agent target without the same contractual complications.
At the same time, Pincus suggested the Lakers could ultimately decide to retain Ayton, who holds a player option for the 2026-27 season, while continuing to pair him with Hayes in the rotation.
That route could allow Los Angeles to preserve financial flexibility for perimeter upgrades and, according to Pincus, “may be the more natural solution for the Lakers.”
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