Lots of attention has been focused on the Los Angeles Lakers' need for a starting two-way forward, especially after they lost out on Jonathan Kuminga, whom they had pursued for nearly two months, this week. But they also have another roster need that shouldn't be ignored.
While they got their ideal defensive-minded center in Walker Kessler, they lack viable options behind him should he get hurt. They signed veteran Kevon Looney, who is still a tenacious rebounder, but it is thought that his best days are behind him. Sandro Mamukelashvili, a hybrid big man they signed to a four-year contract this offseason, may be more effective at power forward than at the 5, and he is considered a lackluster defender.
The Lakers reportedly had interest in Kel'el
Ware, a young, shot-blocking ace, before he was sent to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Adel Ahmad of Hesvy Sports proposed a three-team trade that would send Ware and wing Vit Krejci to Los Angeles and cost it Dalton Knecht, who would be dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers, plus two second-round draft picks, which would go to the Bucks.
"Ware wouldn’t present any complex situation for the Lakers just as this framework shows. Los Angeles doesn’t have the most flexibility for moves but could take on a couple of team-friendly deals.
"With Ware, the Lakers would only pay him roughly $4.6 million in the 2026-27 season, the penultimate year of his rookie deal. However, he has a team option for his final year, which would rise a bit higher to roughly $7.1 million. This is still a workable deal for L.A. as they would be getting a potential frontcourt star cheap.
"... While Looney is a good backup, a much younger piece like Ware provides the athletic upside. He is a top rebounder and also chips in good scoring cameos. In the 2025-26 season, he almost averaged a double-double.
"Still only 22, there is much Ware could offer playing alongside the likes of Doncic. He is slightly different to Kessler in that he shoots better overall and could be a stretch option to add to the frontcourt.
"The Lakers would also benefit from Krejci, who at 6-foot-8 also adds height to the roster and would be a solid wing depth arriving at a low cost."
Ware averaged 11.1 points, nine rebounds, 0.8 steals and 1.1 blocks in 22.1 minutes a game last season with the Miami Heat. He also attempted three 3-pointers a game and connected on 39.5% of those attempts.
At seven feet tall and 230 pounds, he has a vertical leap of 36 inches and a 7-foot-4.5 wingspan. If he would accept a significant drop in playing time when Kessler is healthy, which could be most, if not almost all, of the time, he could give L.A. a formidable center rotation.
Krejci, a 6-foot-8 guard who can also play the 3 position, put up 8.5 points in 21.4 minutes a game while shooting 39% from downtown on heavy volume.
Since Ware would be an inexpensive option for the Lakers, perhaps they could take a flyer on him and see if he improves his motor and dedication, which have been criticized by some.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Three-team mock trade gives Lakers ideal rim-running backup center
