The Los Angeles Lakers have one clear priority when it comes to the team's 2025 offseason. Everything is based around adding size and lob threats to help begin the Luka Doncic era. When the team traded Anthony Davis, it closed the book on this being LeBron James' team and signaled that the superstar of the future was here. When you make this level of a splashy move, you're going to do everything reasonably possible to set up a championship run. Meaning the Lakers front office is going to be focused on adding rim protection and lob threats.
It isn't going to be as easy a task as you might expect when considering a limited free agent market. Los Angeles is going to have to find rim protection in the trade market if it hopes to find the perfect fit. None would be better than the current Cleveland center Jarrett Allen. After the Cavs' frustrating flameout, it is completely possible the organization is willing to consider a change. Giving the Lakers a chance to make an incredible upgrade.
Current Cavs Center Jarrett Allen Is the Perfect Lakers' Trade Target
Lakers fans aren't going to have a difficult time talking themselves into adding Allen after watching Alex Len, Jaxson Hayes, and Trey Jemison in the 2024-25 season. This trio is as frustrating as any group throughout the league. Non-playoff teams had far superior options, better explaining why the Lakers were so quickly bounced from this year's playoffs.
Regardless, the team could look to LeBron's former team to find its answer at the position. Allen is on a reasonable contract, the Lakers have room to add if they are willing to spend a first-round pick. For Cleveland, the move is simply moving around cap space and clearing more room to add scoring and allow Evan Mobley to be your rim protection.
No matter whether it is Allen or another fit, the Lakers will need to add at least two notable names to the position if they have any chance of making a deep playoff run. With the future for LeBron remaining uncertain, the Lakers' fate sits squarely on the shoulders of Luka. The superstar wasn't good enough down the stretch of this past season, clearly not in great shape, and shell-shocked from the midseason trade. If Los Angeles can bring in an impact starter at center and Luka takes the expected step forward this offseason, there is no limit on what this group might accomplish next season.
