The Los Angeles Lakers are focused on adding talent at multiple positions after reportedly trading Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards.<\/p>\n
NBA insider Marc Stein<\/a> reported Friday that the Lakers were pursuing a wing defender and a backup big man, as the Ayton deal gave them an additional $2 million in financial flexibility.<\/p>\n According to ESPN’s Shams Charania<\/a>, Los Angeles is considering Andre Drummond, Jonas Valan\u010di\u016bnas and Kevon Looney as reserve center options.<\/p>\n The Lakers traded Ayton to the Wizards in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks, per Charania<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ayton served as Los Angeles’ starting center last season and\u00a0picked up<\/a>\u00a0his $8.1 million player option for his 2026-27 campaign, but was set to operate in a reserve role after the team acquired Walker Kessler as part of a\u00a0sign-and-trade<\/a>\u00a0agreement with the Utah Jazz.<\/p>\n With Ayton gone, the Lakers now have several options to choose from as they search for a new backup big man.<\/p>\n Drummond has some familiarity with the organization, as he previously suited up in 21 games with Los Angeles during the 2020-21 season.<\/p>\n The 32-year-old played most recently played for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 6.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field last season.<\/p>\n Drummond also showcased his improved three-point accuracy, connecting on 35.6 percent of his long-range jumpers while attempting 90 triples.<\/p>\n Valan\u010di\u016bnas has one year remaining on his\u00a0current contract<\/a>\u00a0with the Denver Nuggets, but it may be difficult for the Lakers to land him if he’s waived.<\/p>\n