The Los Angeles Lakers are continuing their search for another center after reshaping their frontcourt this offseason with the names of Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney showing up.Following the decision to trade Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks, Los Angeles created additional financial flexibility while adding draft assets.The move also left the Lakers with a clear need for another big man behind newly acquired starting center Walker Kessler.Looney remains on the Lakers radar, sources say, as does Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas, according to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. The latter, remember, was a Lakers free agent target two summers ago before Valanciunas opted to sign a multiyear deal with Washington instead.Neither veteran perfectly matches the type of center Luka Doncic has traditionally thrived alongside. Throughout his career, Doncic has enjoyed playing with athletic rim-running bigs capable of finishing above the basket, while both Kevon Looney and Jonas Valanciunas rely more on physicality, rebounding and interior play.Valanciunas remains the more polished offensive option of the two.The veteran Lithuanian can score with his back to the basket and still provides reliable size in the paint. Last season, he averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 58.2 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three-point range across 65 games with the Denver Nuggets.Looney, meanwhile, spent last season with the New Orleans Pelicans after his long stint with the Golden State Warriors. In 14.6 minutes per game, he averaged 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds, continuing to build his reputation as one of the leagues stronger rebounders and screen setters.Related Article: The Best Reactions to the Jaylen Brown-Paul George TradeThe Lakers interest in Valanciunas is also nothing new. Los Angeles pursued him before he signed with the Washington Wizards in 2024 and continued monitoring his situation before he was eventually traded to the Sacramento Kings.READ MORE: Lakers Build Around Luka Doncic With Walker Kessler Trade
