It will not be easy for the Los Angeles Lakers to upgrade at the center position this summer. Many of their options in free agency aren’t very realistic, and while they could end up drafting a useful big man with the No. 25 pick in this week’s NBA draft, it is anyone’s guess whether whoever they draft will be ready to help right away.
With the Miami Heat reportedly hot on the pursuit of disgruntled Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, there may be an opportunity for the Lakers to step in as an additional team in such a trade and snag another player in order to make all the math work. Los Angeles has been talking to the Bucks and Detroit Pistons about possibly getting involved in an Antetokounmpo deal, according to Lakers reporter Anthony Irwin.
The name Irwin said has come up for the Lakers is Isaiah Stewart, a reserve center for Detroit. But he also wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that L.A. has been linked to Kel’El Ware, a young and potential-laden center who plays for the Heat.
“Another name that’s been linked to the Lakers a bunch since yesterday is Miami’s Kel’el Ware,” Irwin reported. “Huge upside and unquestionable talent.”
But Irwin also noted the concern that people have for Ware.
“Some very fair questions about where his head is consistently at, though.”
Ware, who is seven feet tall and weighs 230 pounds, has tantalized people during his two years in the NBA. He was the No. 15 pick in the NBA draft two years ago out of Indiana University, and this season, he averaged 11.1 points on 53% overall shooting and 39.5% from 3-point range, nine rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.1 minutes a game.
But there have always been questions about his focus, dedication and motor. The Lakers already have a center like that in Deandre Ayton, who is more skilled offensively, not to mention more athletically gifted, than Ware. Ayton has an $8.1 million player option for next season.
During a YouTube livestream, Irwin expanded on the topic of the Lakers being linked to Ware (h/t Fadeaway World).
“I started hearing more and more noise about Kel’el Ware; the Lakers could potentially be in on him,” said Irwin “That one felt a bit more like [general manager Rob] Pelinka than Stewart, to be honest. So, Ware is a guy who has absolutely tantalizing, raw basketball talent. He shot threes last year and is tall enough to alter people from scoring at the rim.”
“But just as people pointed out in the comments section of every platform I posted on, I don’t think that would be enough. I don’t think Kel’el Ware and Stewart combined would be enough.”
People around the league seem to believe the Heat want to wrap up a potential deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo by the NBA draft, which starts on Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers are reportedly targeting Heat center Kel’el Ware
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
