The Los Angeles Lakers, following their notable acquisition of Luka Dončić, demonstrated interest in further enhancing their roster prior to the February trade deadline. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, appearing on the Straight Fire podcast with Jason McIntyre, the Lakers initiated discussions with the Atlanta Hawks regarding the availability of Onyeka Okongwu. This conversation took place before the Lakers' tentative deal with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams, which was ultimately rescinded before its public announcement.

Onyeka Okongwu, a 6'10" center out of USC, possesses the qualities that align well with Dončić's playing style. Known for his lob threat and defensive capabilities in the paint, Okongwu, while not necessarily classed as a superstar player, would have addressed the significant center void that became evident during the Lakers' playoff matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. At just under 25 years old, with a contract that has three years and approximately $47.98 million remaining, Okongwu's age and skill set would have been a valuable asset for the Lakers as they build around Dončić as their franchise centerpiece.

However, it is understandable that the Hawks were reluctant to part with Okongwu, especially after making him their starting center over Clint Capela in January. This decision underlines the Hawks' current strategic conundrum, as the franchise seeks to define its direction after missing the playoffs for the past two seasons and failing to exceed 43 wins since the 2015-16 season. Should the Hawks consider a brief rebuild, Okongwu would likely represent one of their most valuable trade assets, given his age, contract, and career-high averages this past season of 13.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game across 74 appearances. The Lakers are anticipated to search for a starting center during the upcoming summer, particularly after relying on Jaxson Hayes throughout the season, who faced challenges during the postseason with limited effectiveness, managing just 30 minutes over four games against Minnesota.