Lakers still seeking backup center behind Deandre Ayton

Despite securing a significant frontcourt upgrade with the addition of Deandre Ayton, the Los Angeles Lakers remain active on the free agent market in search of additional size.

League insider Shams Charania reported Thursday on SportsCenter that the Lakers are not finished retooling their frontcourt rotation.

“They’re still working to shore up their frontcourt depth,” said Charania. “I’m told they’re in talks with multiple free agents on bringing a center to Los Angeles as well to back up Deandre Ayton. We’ll see between now and the next several days – look for them to potentially lock in another center.”

The move signals a continued emphasis by Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka on reinforcing one of the team’s most vulnerable positions last season.

While Ayton brings a clear upgrade as the presumed starting center, the Lakers are reportedly prioritizing a reliable veteran option to slot in behind him.

One potential candidate, Al Horford, has been linked to the Lakers in recent weeks. However, the 39-year-old big man is widely expected to land with the Golden State Warriors if he continues playing.

Retirement is also a serious consideration for Horford, who has played 17 NBA seasons and is coming off a deep playoff run with Boston.

The urgency to add another center is informed by how last season unfolded. The Lakers closed the 2024–25 campaign relying on Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len for frontcourt minutes.

Both were inconsistent and struggled to anchor the defense.

In critical games, LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith were forced to log extended time at center – a temporary solution that underscored the team’s lack of depth and physicality down low.

By securing another center to back up Ayton, the Lakers hope to avoid repeating that predicament.

With Luka Doncic now the focal point of their offense and LeBron James entering his age-40 season, having stable, experienced interior defenders and rebounders will be critical to easing the burden on their stars.

The coming days will likely bring clarity as Los Angeles seeks the right fit in their evolving roster structure.