What happened: Speaking on ESPN LA, Lakers beat reporter Dan Woike said the team is prioritizing the center position above all others this offseason. Per his sources, the most frequently raised path to upgrading the spot is via trade rather than free agency.

Why it matters: Center has been a recurring roster question for the Lakers, and pointing to the trade market signals how they intend to address it heading into the 2025-26 season. It echoes earlier chatter linking the team to center help such as Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford.

What to watch: Watch which centers surface in Lakers trade talks and whether a deal materializes before the season opens.