The Los Angeles Lakers' desperate need for a starting center is well documented. GM Rob Pelinka will almost certainly use significant resources this offseason to find a pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic and a rim protector to anchor the defense. Considering their limited financial resources, the Lakers will have to turn to the trade market to find the big man they are looking for.
Similar to the Lakers, their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics, also have to make a significant move this summer. They have a desperate need to pivot and get cheaper after the Jayson Tatum injury, opening them up for business. This means that there could be a win-win trade opportunity between the two teams.
One name that is an intriguing trade target for the Lakers is Kristaps Porzingis. Not only is he a former teammate of Luka Doncic from the Mavericks, but he is also a solid fit for what the Lakers are looking for. He spaces the floor and gives them another legit threat on the offensive end while protecting the rim on the other end.
Porzingis might be more gettable after he dealt with health concerns down the stretch. He was very limited during Boston's postseason run due to symptoms from a viral illness. The Latvian center has also not been the most reliable player throughout his career, health-wise. However, this is why he may be acquired for a relatively cheap price.
If the Lakers were to make their 2031 first-round pick available (they would be wise to make it protected), that might be enough to entice the Celtics. Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt can act as matching salaries, and both forwards could actually help Boston during Tatum's absence. The Celtics would get cheaper and add decent talent while getting draft capital in return.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, gets a significant talent upgrade. When healthy, Porzingis is a near-All-Star caliber player. Taking a flyer on a player with that type of upside is the big swing the Lakers have to make as LeBron James enters his age-41 season.
