What do the Lakers need? The Lakers have some glaring needs right now. They wanted a big man who can not only work alongside Anthony Davis but also give him some relief when he’s off the court. On top of that, their wing depth is a serious issue, especially with Jarred Vanderbilt’s availability still up in the air. Honestly, if the Lakers were sitting on a higher seed right now, this might’ve not even been on their radar. But the Wizards just set a price on Jonas Valanciunas.

They thought with Dorian Finney-Smith they could prioritize speed and athleticism now. But at 7th seed with a 3-game losing streak, they probably want a center for good.  The Wizards are reportedly open to trading their 32-year-old big man before the trade deadline, but only if the right deal pops up. With a dismal 6-32 record, it’s clear the Washington team is heading for a full rebuild.

David Aldridge from The Athletic gave us the scoop, saying that the Wizards’ priority is landing draft capital in any deal involving Valanciunas. He explained, “If, for example, a team would send Washington a highly paid player on a multi-year contract—a contract that would hamper the team’s future payroll flexibility—Washington almost certainly would seek a first-round pick.”

Aldridge also added Washington may accept multiple second-round picks for Jonas Valanciunas, only if the incoming contracts don’t hurt their future payroll. However, “One league source, whose team is not currently involved with the Wizards in discussions about Valančiūnas, believes that two second-rounders will wind up being the maximum Washington can get for him.”

Looks like the Lakers could use him to fill their center void. With Christian Wood sidelined, they need a big man to back up Anthony Davis and elevate their playoff chances. Adding Jonas Valanciunas could give them the depth they need for a deeper postseason push. Plus with him on the roster, AD could finally play his preferred position of power forward.

But they’ll need to hurry because other teams have their eyes set on him as well.

The Knicks want Jonas Valanciunas too but only if…

According to Ian Begley, the Knicks could want Jonas Valanciunas too, especially while they wait for Mitchell Robinson to return from injury. Robinson, who’s been out since last year’s playoffs, is rehabbing from ankle procedures in December 2023 and May 2024. The 26-year-old’s rebounding and rim protection made him an essential piece for the Knicks before his injuries. Last season, the hoopster posted averages of 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.

While the 13-year NBA Wizards veteran has been putting up solid numbers this season, averaging 11.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and shooting 55.8% from the field for Washington, the Knicks might not need to rush for him just yet.

Begley pointed out that ideally, “I really think in a perfect world that Mitch comes back, he’s healthy, he shows he can play, and they move forward there.” He was playing at a high level before his injuries, and reports say he’s making progress in his rehab.

However, if Robinson faces any setbacks, an unforeseen possibility that unfortunately cannot be ignored, the Knicks might need to make a move for Valanciunas. But here’s the catch: The Wizards aren’t just giving him away. They’re looking for meaningful draft picks, something that’ll push their rebuild forward, something we discussed above. The Athletic‘s Josh Robbins and David Aldridge clearly noted that the Wizards are seeking “draft picks that would appreciably move the team’s rebuild forward.”

In short, for the Knicks, it’s all about Robinson’s recovery. If he’s good to go, Valanciunas can wait.