The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to a host of centers this offseason, as they look for an upgrade at the position. While a lot of the centers mentioned are more defensive-minded, NBA insider Brett Siegel now reports that the Lakers are interested in Naz Reid, whom the Minnesota Timberwolves recently traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the package for LaMelo Ball.
“Naz Reid is a big man the Lakers have strong interest in, sources said, but the Charlotte Hornets have not expressed to teams that they will make him available after being involved in the LaMelo Ball trade,” Siegel wrote.
Reid averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Timberwolves in 2025-26, while shooting 45.6% from the field and 36.2% from beyond the arc. He is a good rebounder, and his shooting prowess would give Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves more space to work with.
The first issue, though, is that Reid isn’t the kind of defensive anchor you’d need when your backcourt is Doncic and Reaves. Neither of those two is a good defender.
The 6’9″ Reid has taken strides on the defensive end, but he isn’t going to lock down the paint. It’d be hard to see a scenario where the Lakers aren’t struggling defensively if the 2023 Sixth Man of the Year is their center.
Secondly, Reid isn’t really that elite rim-running big man Doncic reportedly wants. The 26-year-old is a great athlete who can attack the rim and is also a quality finisher, but he is better off stretching defenses.
Reid is undoubtedly a very good player, but he isn’t the solution for the Lakers at the center spot. The Hornets not indicating a willingness to trade him might be a blessing in disguise.
So, if not Reid, then who? Well, Seigel expects them to go after Mitchell Robinson.
“As already said, the Lakers will be one of the top suitors for Mitchell Robinson when free agency begins,” Siegel wrote. “His pick-and-roll abilities, paired with his defensive presence in the paint, are exactly what the Lakers are looking for.”
Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game for the New York Knicks in 2025-26. Injuries are a concern, though. Robinson might also be better suited to be a backup than a starter. That cannot be said about Jalen Duren, whom the Lakers have been linked to. Siegel doesn’t see them getting the restricted free agent, though.
“Although the Lakers have expressed interest in him previously, Duren is not viewed as a realistic option for Los Angeles, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “That leaves a few other notable names worth discussing: Robert Williams III, Walker Kessler, and Myles Turner.”
Siegel sees Robert Williams III and Myles Turner as attainable options. The Lakers haven’t registered an interest in Turner yet, however.
As for Walker Kessler, Siegel expects him to be beyond reach. Kessler is a restricted free agent, and he is likely going to stay with the Utah Jazz.
So basically, there aren’t too many great options here. Whoever the Lakers end up getting is going to be more of a B-tier center. The only way they get a better one would be via a trade.
