The Los Angeles Lakers knew they needed to address the center position, especially after signing Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. To placate their new superstar, the Lakers attempted a deal for Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu.
Okongwu, 24, is a Los Angeles native who attended USC only once. The Hawks drafted him sixth overall in the 2020 draft.According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers wanted to bring Okongwu back home.
McMenamin told Fox Sports’ Jason McIntyre on the “Straight Fire” program that the Lakers approached the Hawks around the 2025 trade deadline. The contact came before the Lakers’ ill-fated acquisition of Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets.
“I believe he was one of the names on the list that [Lakers general manager] Rob Pelinka sent to Luka. Because I am aware that the Lakers called the Hawks around the trade deadline about Okongwu,” McMenamin told McIntyre on May 22. “Lob threat, athleticism, absolutely.”
Okongwu had a career-best 2024-25 season, averaging 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He also shot 32.4% from beyond the arc while improving his perimeter game on offense.
He has already demonstrated the ability to guard both traditional and mobile bigs. However, larger pivots have proven to be difficult for him.
Okongwu has also been paid, as he begins Year 2 of a four-year, $61.9 million contract.
This season, the Hawks made Okongwu a full-time starter. That provides context for the Lakers’ failure to acquire Okongwu.
McMenamin claimed Okongwu’s colleague would have been a “perfect” fit.
“In terms of being a perfect fit, maybe not [for Okongwu],” McMenamin explained. “But they may not get a perfect fit,” McMenamin told McIntyre. “I believe Clint Capela of ’17, ’18 was probably perfect, but we’re in ’25, ’26 now. So, that’s about where they’ll be.”
That version of Capela was one of the league’s most promising lob threats. Three seasons later, he led the NBA in rebounding after leading the league in field goal percentage.
He has an injury history and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. That only emphasizes Okongwu’s value to the Hawks. It may also increase the difficulty the Lakers confront in persuading them to begin with the former Trojan.
The Lakers might be better off exploring other possibilities this offseason, adding to the uncertainty they face.
McMenamin was concerned about the Lakers’ expenditure to sign a high-profile talent. He suggested that they start small and plan to upgrade later.
“I am of the opinion to not go all in on someone like a [Brooklyn Nets center Nic] Claxton at center, making $20 to $30 million,” McMenamin instructed McIntyre. “But they’ll have the taxpayer midlevel open to them, so I’d go out and attempt to get a guy at that level. And if he doesn’t turn out to be the ideal fit, keep one of your top choices and try again in February.
“You should have that role. But I’m not sure if that position is definitely necessary to begin training camp. You could sign a player to fill that role in February, and he’ll be ready to go by April.”
Spotrac estimates the taxpayer midlevel exception for 2025-26 at $5.7 million.
Damian Jones of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks big man Jericho Sims, and holdover Jaxson Hayes all meet the “lob threat” category and earn around the average MLE.
However, McMenamin stated that Hayes’ lapses in concentration had a negative impact on his playing time, and the Lakers looked for roster upgrades with him this past season. Outside choices look to be the greatest options, but money will be a major consideration for the Lakers in any deal or signing.
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