The Lakers may target two young centers this summer to solve their weak inside

According to an article by F/W contributor Sidante Gupta. The Los Angeles Lakers have been a very active entity during the offseason. After showing interest in acquiring a big man to strengthen their roster, the Purple Gold Corps has since been closely linked with several players. Many candidates also appeared at this time. Given the team's poor performance in the playoffs this season, it's clear that urgent needs must be addressed. Considering that the team still has a desire to win the championship and Doncic is at the heart of all this, the Lakers are always looking for the "right" players to support their stars.

The main characters who have attracted the most attention are Brooklyn Nets center Clarkston and Mavericks' Gafford. While Clarkston is only mentioned and closely mentioned in trade rumors, the Lakers will only have a more inclined to trade Gafford if the negotiations between Gafford and Dallas fail. While there are links with other free agents, such as Capela and Lopez, recent reports suggest that the Lakers may choose a new approach. According to B/R's Eric Pincus, considering the current weak center market, the Lakers may try to sign young big men like Sharp or Sims.

Sharp has been an interesting player to watch during his time with the Nets. After his fourth season in the NBA, the center showed sustained growth in all numbers, averaging 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds with a 52.1% shooting percentage. Sharp has always been the backbone of the Nets' roster. Although he is not a starter for the team, he is also working hard to provide huge inside strength as a substitute for Clarkston. At 6-foot-11, the Nets' big man showed excellent athleticism and franchise protection at the rim. His rebounding awareness, especially his efforts to attack rebounds, will provide the Lakers with a much-needed sense of inside presence. The center, who is only 22 years old, also brought youth and vitality to the team.

Sharp can also cooperate with Doncic in pick-and-roll. His 265-pound figure allows him to set strong covers, and his innate athleticism allows him to finish the end well. The 22-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent entering the offseason. The Nets are even more likely to seek to re-sign him, forcing the Lakers to get him by signing first and then trading. Another option that the Lakers can pay attention to is Sims. Sims had a rather unqualified season with the Bucks. Sims played only 53 games after the team selected the 26-year-old in 2024-25, averaging 1.8 points and 3.7 rebounds with a 63.4% shooting percentage. These numbers do not necessarily have much comment on young centers. While at the Knicks, Sims showed great potential in minutes of each game. While his average of 2.4 points and 3.9 rebounds aren't significantly different from his current average, he has all the right skills that fit the Lakers system.

What the Lakers need is a big guy who can run, or a big guy who can also act as a basket protector. Although these characters present two completely different characters, Sims is a player with good mobility. His bounce ability makes him a straightforward cake eater, allowing him to pair well with Doncic. Given that Hayes has the potential to leave as a free agent, the team is better off finding a reliable replacement as soon as possible. The Bucks will most likely not re-sign Sims, so the Lakers can sign him as a free agent.