What could’ve been a simple free-agency signing is now going to cost a lot. Outside of Anthony Davis, they’ve got just two other centers on the roster. One of them, Christian Wood, is sidelined with a knee injury and isn’t expected back anytime soon. This leaves the team skating on thin ice. An elbow to Davis or a poke to the eye could force the Lakers into scrambling to cover a glaring roster gap. It’s like being one slip away from a bad fall, and the Los Angeles Lakers can’t afford that kind of tumble right now.

And there is one player for whom LeBron James agreed he could take a massive pay cut to have a shot at another title. During the offseason, ‘The King’ reportedly brought up Jonas Valanciunas as someone worth taking a pay cut for if the Lakers could sign him in free agency. Although that didn’t pan out, Valanciunas stayed on the Lakers’ radar, especially after securing a hefty $30.3 million deal with the Washington Wizards. The Lakers clearly saw the veteran center as a key piece for their lineup, even though circumstances didn’t align during their first attempt to land him.

But if they want Valanciunas now, it is going to be costly. Jovan Buha, who covers the Lakers for The Athletic, provided some insight on how the trade could pan out. “So, Jonas, I think it would probably be something like Gabe, and a first [round pick]. What would be my guess? Uh, I’m sure the Lakers would try to fight to make it like a lottery protected or top 15 protected first, something like that. But it would probably be from a financial perspective. I mean you could also do like JHS and Uh Maxwell Lewis and Christian Wood or so, like you could Cobble together multiple contracts.” said Buha.

Reacting to this news Sean Davis did not hold back at the Lakers front office. “Respectfully not trading a first round pick for a player they could’ve easily gotten in the summer. This front office operates ass backwards sometimes man.” tweeted Davis. Imagine the King agreeing to a pay cut, and you don’t listen then. Now this could sour things between LeBron and Rob.

Will the Lakers go for such an expensive trade or is there anyone else in their mind?

If not Valanciunas, is there anyone else for whom LeBron James would consider a lighter cheque?

Valanciunas could provide relief for Davis by stepping up as a strong rebounder and interior defender. With his bruising style of play, he’s built to handle the dirty work under the basket. Over his 13-year career, he’s averaged an impressive 9.4 rebounds and one block per game. But if he’s not available, there is another option for the Lakers.

Jake Fischer pointed out that Robert Williams III from the Portland Trail Blazers has generated significant trade interest, especially after recovering from injuries. He had been a player many teams were eyeing last year, hoping to see him healthy again. Now that Williams is back on the court, scouts are wondering if he’s playing well enough for Portland to consider keeping him.

“Robert Williams III definitely generated a lot of trade interest last year from teams who were … [hoping] he would come back into play after injuries subsided,” Fischer said Saturday. “He’s back healthy now, and I am getting questions from scout friends of mine around the league wondering if he’s potentially been too successful for Portland to part ways with him right now.”

Fischer also mentioned that the Blazers might shift their focus to trading Deandre Ayton instead. However, Ayton’s contract and his desire to be more involved offensively might make him less appealing to the Lakers compared to someone like Williams or Valanciunas.

With the Lakers looking for a solid center, Williams would make sense, providing that extra boost to their defense and rebounding. But will Portland be ready to part with him? It’s definitely something to keep an eye on.