Lakers still monitoring Kevon Looney and Jonas Valanciunas for backup center role
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The Los Angeles Lakers continue to survey the free-agent market for a reserve center after sending Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round selections, a deal designed to create salary flexibility and add draft assets.
League sources told reporters Marc Stein and Jake Fischer that Kevon Looney and Jonas Valanciunas remain on the club’s shortlist. Both veterans entered free agency after modest roles last season and are viewed as possible complements to starting center Walker Kessler.
Limited options at the position
With former Laker Andre Drummond having signed with the New York Knicks, the pool of experienced big men has thinned. Looney, a three-time champion with the Golden State Warriors, averaged 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 41.7 percent in 14.6 minutes per game for the New Orleans Pelicans. Valanciunas appeared in 65 contests for the Denver Nuggets, posting 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds on 58.2 percent shooting (30.8 percent from three) in 13.4 minutes behind Nikola Jokic.
Neither Looney nor Valanciunas is expected to handle extended minutes if Kessler is unavailable, but both could bolster the Lakers’ rebounding and interior presence. Valanciunas offers post scoring, while Looney is regarded primarily as a rebounder and screener.
Prior interest in Valanciunas
Los Angeles pursued Valanciunas during the 2024 offseason before the Lithuanian center chose a multiyear contract with Washington. The Lakers revisited that interest ahead of last season’s trade deadline, offering Gabe Vincent and second-round compensation, but the Sacramento Kings ultimately completed a deal for him.
The front office is also searching for a starting-caliber wing, a need that factored into moving Ayton’s contract. Until those spots are filled, the Lakers are expected to keep tabs on Looney, Valanciunas and any other available bigs who fit their remaining cap space and minutes structure.
Source: LakersNation.com
