Lakers linked to potential trade for notable 7-footer

Apr 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Los Angeles Lakers logo at center court during game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers may be going bargain-hunting on the trade market.

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports Monday that the Lakers have expressed trade interest in center Nick Richards of the Charlotte Hornets. Siegel notes that the Lakers are among several NBA teams that have inquired about the 26-year-old Richards.

This news comes after Shams Charania of ESPN reported last week that the Lakers were looking at making an upgrade to their center position.

"The Lakers have been exploring potentially adding a big man, a center to their roster." @ShamsCharania makes his NBA Today debut with the latest on the Lakers' search for a big pic.twitter.com/8iqVBTIGrJ

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 10, 2024

The seven-footer Richards has developed a reputation as an underrated energy piece. He averaged 9.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game last season for Charlotte and also blocks shots with his 7-foot-4 wingspan. Richards is really effective around the rim too, posting an elite 69.1 field goal percentage in 2023-24.

With Richards under contract for just $5 million this season and $5 million next season, the Lakers may just have something to work with there. With Jaxson Hayes having his limitations at center and Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood both sidelined with injuries to start the new season, the need at the 5 for the Lakers is pretty pressing. Richards should also come much cheaper than this other center the Lakers are eyeing in that division.

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