Translator's note: This article was originally published from the Orange County Chronicle, and the author is Khobi Price. The views in the article have nothing to do with the translator and the platform.

What are the realistic and feasible potential big guy goals for the Lakers?

Players like Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks or Clarkston of the Brooklyn Nets must be obtained through trades, while full free agent Clint Capela may become a candidate for the team to chase with a mini-middle special case.

The Lakers' biggest demand this offseason is no secret: they are working to strengthen the inside lineup.

Since trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luca Doncic, general manager Robert Pelinka has been talking about the team's demand for big men for months, even he mentioned this the day after the Lakers' season.

"We know that one of the main goals of this offseason is to add body shape advantages to the center position in the frontcourt," Pelinka said at a season summary media meeting with head coach JJ Redick on May 1. "This will be part of the team building plan. We know that there is still a lot of work to do in lineup construction, and the lineup will definitely be different next season."

Pelinka also talked about the type of center they are looking for.

"In terms of center traits, it would be great to have a player with vertical threats, all-in threats, and able to protect the inside on the defensive end," he added. "These are key elements. But there are also many types of centers in the league that can play an important role.

" There are also space centers with frame protection capabilities, and we will consider this type of player. I don't want to limit the target type, but we explicitly need a big man. ”

With Jaxon Hays, who served as the Lakers' starting center in the 2024-25 season, is about to become a full free agent, and the team does not have any 2025-26 contracts when the offseason starts, the Lakers may need to introduce multiple big players.

Although the league-shaking Doncic trade proves that there are no impossible deals in the NBA, the Lakers are unlikely to get All-Star big men this offseason.

But what are realistic and feasible goals? Here are a few potential players worth paying attention to:

1. Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks (trading required)

When discussing Lakers' big man goals this summer, the two most commonly mentioned names are Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks and Clarkston of the Brooklyn Nets.

Gafford's connection with the Lakers is obvious.

Doncic and Gafford have been teammates in Dallas for about a year and strive for the NBA Finals in the Mavericks in 2024 chemistry was quickly established. Last season, Gafford averaged 21.5 minutes for the Mavericks, averaging 11.2 points (78% shooting percentage), 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Before Doncic finished his last game on December 25 this season, Gafford played 29 games for the Mavericks (20.2 minutes per game), averaging 12 points (72.6% shooting percentage), 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Height 6 Gafford, 10-inch (about 2.08 meters), weighing 265 pounds (about 120.2 kg), is in the final year of a three-year, $40 million contract, and his salary is about $14.4 million in the 2025-26 season. Gafford, reportedly, hopes to receive the salary of starting centers - but he himself denied that claim. But since Davis and Lefly already in the Mavericks lineup, are already in the Mavericks' roster (the latter will be eligible for renewal next summer), It is unlikely that the ability (or willingness) to pay high salaries for the three big men.

Goverd's salary next season makes it easier for the Lakers to get him through trades without sending a starter. But given the follow-up reaction of Mavericks fans to the Doncic trade, there are questions about whether the Mavericks are willing to trade with the Lakers again. And if the Lakers trade Goverd, they need to make sure he remains with the team after the 2025-26 season.

2. Clarkston, Brooklyn Nets (trading required)

Clarkston can be said to be the best center candidate for the Lakers to introduce during the offseason.

As the Nets' full-time starting center in the past three seasons, he averaged 11.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2 blocks per game.

This 6-foot-11 inches (about 2.11 meters) and weighed 215 pounds (about 97.5 kg) player is one of the best basket protectors in the league and can switch to the outside. He is also a top finisher and excellent screener at the basket, and is an ideal partner for Lakers' ball holders.

26-year-old Clarkston earns $25.4 million in 2025-26, part of his four-year $97 million contract starting this season. This means that compared with Gafford, the Lakers need to send out a larger contract if they want to get Clarkston through a trade. Clarkston signed a decreasing contract, which means that the salary space he takes up is reduced year by year during the contract period.

3. Clint Capela (full free agent)

31-year-old Capela has performed slightly in the past few seasons. He averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1 block in 2024-25, and averaged 21.4 minutes of playing, all of which were the lowest points since his early career. In late January, Okonwu took over the Atlanta Hawks starting center position from Capela, and Capela missed the last month of the season due to a left-hand ligament injury.

But Capela is still a reliable defender, especially near the basket, where he can serve as a starting point with limited playing time or a substitute with more playing time. He is not an ideal solution for long-term starting centers, but may be a suitable candidate for the $5.7 million mini middle class exception available to the Lakers.

Candidates worth paying attention to: Orlando Magic's Bitaze (a $15.3 million contract for two years in 2025-27); Brooklyn Nets' Deron Sharp (potentially restricted free agent); Luke Connett (full free agent); Larry Nance Jr. (full free agent); Presches Achouva (full free agent).