Following their notable acquisition of Luka Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly investigated the possibility of another significant trade ahead of the February deadline. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, during an appearance on the Straight Fire podcast with Jason McIntyre, the Lakers 'made a call' to the Atlanta Hawks regarding Onyeka Okongwu. This inquiry was made prior to the Lakers' initial trade agreement with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams, a deal that Los Angeles ultimately chose to rescind before its official announcement.

Onyeka Okongwu, a 6'10" player who excels in lob situations and demonstrates defensive prowess in the paint, aligns well with the type of athletes Dončić has effectively partnered with throughout his career. Although he may not represent the superstar caliber that some Lakers fans might desire, Okongwu would have addressed a significant gap at the center position that the team experienced during the playoffs, particularly when facing the Minnesota Timberwolves. His age, with a birthday approaching on December as he turns 25, aligns closely with the Lakers' current trajectory under Dončić, who is expected to be a cornerstone of the franchise's future. Additionally, Okongwu’s contract, which has three years remaining at a reasonable $47.98 million, makes him an appealing target for teams looking to enhance their rosters.

Conversely, the Hawks have made Okongwu their starting center since January, opting to place him ahead of veteran Clint Capela, indicating limited eagerness to consider trade offers. The Hawks themselves are navigating a challenging period regarding their future direction, having missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and failing to exceed 43 wins since the 2015-16 season. If the Hawks were to pursue a short-term rebuild, Okongwu’s youth, favorable contract, and improved performance, which saw him achieve career highs in scoring (13.9), rebounding (8.9), and assists (2.3) during his 74 appearances this season, would position him as one of their most valuable trade assets. As the offseason approaches, the Lakers are likely to search for a starting center, especially after relying heavily on Jaxson Hayes, who struggled during the postseason with barely 30 minutes across four games against Minnesota.