To start the 2024-25 season, the Lakers have two superstar players. LeBron James and Anthony Davis. On the trade deadline, Los Angeles split the ways with Davis to acquire all NBA PG Luka Doncic.
The Lakers are in the process of transitioning from LeBron James to Luka Doncic. James enters his 23rd season and Doncic is still only 26 years old. During the offseason, there were reports that James was not satisfied with the Lakers’ front desk. There is “uncertainty” when James will remain with the Lakers. That’s why Brook Lopez, the free agent center, signed with the Lakers’ Clippers in the offseason.
LeBron James’ dispute with Lakers makes them free agent center
Welcome #ClippernationBrooke Lopezđź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/zcjymgaxtq
– La Clippers (@laclippers) July 6, 2025
Before the 2025-26 season, one of the Lakers’ biggest needs is finding depth in the center. Los Angeles is interested in several goals this offseason. These include free agent and NBA champion Brook Lopez. He played 80 of 82 games in 2024-25. It was Lopez’s 17th professional season and Milwaukee’s seventh place. The Lakers are looking for a starting transplant center to pair with Luka Doncic.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelbourne have a story about why Lopez didn’t choose the Lakers. The two pointed out that Lopez “strongly considered” the Lakers in the offseason. However, LeBron James chose to sign with the Clippers due to “uncertainty” with the team. Some analysts believe that James may disappear by the end of next season. Whether through trade or free agency.
Brook Lopez
His average season is coming:
13.0 points
5.0 reb
1.8 ast
0.6 stl
1.9 BlkThe latest Clippers đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/rcusiegbwr
– Clippa Twitter (@cliplagaled) June 30, 2025
With this news, Brook Lopez decided to sign with the Clippers for backup. He reached a two-year, $18 deal with Los Angeles. This will be his first time in some time to leave the bench. Ivica Zubac is the starting center of the Clippers. They also acquired PF John Collins during the offseason. Lopez will be a solid depth on the bench in 2025-26. The Lakers want to have Lopez.
Instead, they acquired Deandre Ayton, who became a free agent in the offseason. Ayton’s contract was acquired by the Trail Blazers in the last year. He is the only high-quality center on the market. Recently, Ayton signed a two-year, $16.2 million contract with the Lakers. He has a 2026-27 player option worth $8.1 million. Teams around the league will closely monitor LeBron James’ situation in Los Angeles to see if they can seduce him. Even if James leaves, the Lakers have a franchise with Luka Doncic.
