The Lakers have a number of avenues with which to improve the roster this offseason and one area the team is known to be targeting is at center. Ideally, the team would like an athletic, rim-running center to pair with superstar guard Luka Doncic.
One intriguing name that would fit that bill is Kel’el Ware, who was recently dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of the massive trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. And according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Lakers have been linked to Ware with interest in acquiring the young center:
Elsewhere, within league circles, there was palpable chatter about the Pistons hoping to get involved in the Antetokounmpo trade to land Herro, while dangling assets such as Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland, Duncan Robinson, and draft compensation, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, the Los Angeles Lakers were linked with trade interest in Kel’el Ware over the past couple of days, sources said.
The Lakers having interest in Ware makes complete sense as he checks every box the team is looking for in a big man. He is only 22 years old so he has plenty of room to grow, but has already proven in his two seasons in the league that he can contribute to a winning team in a big way.
Ware averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 77 games last season. But he averaged just 22 minutes per game and had only 34 starts on the year so it is easy to argue that he is ready for an expanded role. In addition to being a strong finisher and providing rim protection, Ware also shot 39.5% from 3-point range on three attempts per game so he is capable of stretching the floor too.
While Ware was part of the Antetokounmpo trade, there is still a possibility the Lakers could acquire him and expand that deal into a multi-team trade as it can’t be finalized until the new league year officially begins on July 6. The question then becomes what the Bucks would want in such a deal and what the Lakers are willing to give up. But as the team looks to add pieces this offseason, Ware is the kind of player who could be a long-term answer both in the short and long term.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson reacts to Giannis Antetokounmpo trade
Of course, the entire basketball world had opinions on the massive trade that sent Antetokounmpo to the Heat and that includes Lakers legend Magic Johnson who gave his thoughts on the deal.
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