James cleverly mentioned Davis departure, expressing his dissatisfaction with the Lakers lack of center

The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the 2025 NBA playoffs after losing Game 5 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It's a cruel development for the Lakers, they're higher seeds, and many people think they're easily qualified for the second round. Unfortunately, Los Angeles is now over and the offseason will be a major offseason.

Gobert absolutely dominated the Lakers in Game 5, exacerbating the Lakers' total lack of center-at-time. When James was asked about this, he made it clear that he didn't want to express his dissatisfaction, lest he be sent away like Davis after he made it clear that his desire for center was.

"Not to tell. My brother Davis said what he needed, and then he left the next week. I received no comments. I showed uncertainty every night, I gave everything I had, and that's all."

Davis ruthlessly chased the Lakers management for center before being sent to the Dallas Mavericks for Doncic. Instead of forcing Davis, they sent him to the Mavericks to play with centers like Gafford and Lively II. The Lakers did try to get LeBron and Doncic to be centers on the trade deadline. They made a transfer for Mark Williams but canceled it due to a physical failure, something Williams was very happy to point out after the Lakers were out of the playoffs. It's obvious that the Lakers will be transferring a center this summer, especially given the end of the series and how Luca is doing well with him.

Los Angeles' potential center target this summer

The Lakers will aim for one center and only one center before doing anything else this summer. This is a shocking loophole on their list and Pelinka and management would be very stupid if it is not addressed. LeBron is obviously joking about him saying he is afraid to call the front desk on the center issue. He knew they had no choice but to target one, mainly because the Lakers had to do everything they could to make sure Doncic was happy in the summer.

He is entering the final year of his contract and he may annihilate the Lakers if he becomes a free agent and signs elsewhere. The Lakers can’t offer him a super maximum salary to keep him, and have seen big market teams aim at the open cap space for the summer of 2026.

Since Doncic may go elsewhere, they may aim for elite centers like Clarkston or Turner to satisfy Luca, they can even call the Mavericks again to see if they want Gafford, especially with the depth overload of centers in Dallas now. If they try to control the budget at the center position, it will be the beginning of a disaster, as Doncic has made it clear in the past that he needs a high-level center next to him. Besides Clarkston, Turner's surprise Capela, etc., are also good choices. What do you think?