In the wake of acquiring Luka Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers appeared to explore additional roster improvements prior to the February trade deadline. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, during an episode of the Straight Fire podcast with Jason McIntyre, the Lakers 'made a call' to the Atlanta Hawks regarding Onyeka Okongwu. This inquiry regarding Okongwu occurred before the Lakers attempted to finalize a deal with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams, a trade that was ultimately rescinded by Los Angeles before it was officially announced.

Okongwu, a 6'10” center and a product of the University of Southern California, is known for his lob threat capabilities and defensive skill set in the paint. While he may not possess the stardom that many Lakers fans desire, Okongwu could have addressed the significant gap at center, which was notably exploited by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the playoff series this past season. At just under 25 years old, Okongwu’s age would have aligned with the Lakers' current strategy, positioning Dončić as the key player for the future.

Moreover, Okongwu is under a manageable contract, with three years remaining and approximately $47.98 million owed, making him an attractive option for the Lakers. However, given the Hawks' decision to designate Okongwu as their starting center over Clint Capela back in January, it wasn't surprising that there was limited interest expressed by Atlanta in facilitating a trade. The Hawks find themselves in a challenging scenario as they seek to redefine their trajectory, having missed the playoffs in the past two seasons and not exceeding 43 wins since the 2015-16 season. Should the Hawks choose to pursue a short-term rebuild, Okongwu would likely be regarded as one of their most valuable assets due to his age, contract, and notable performance, which included career highs in scoring (13.9), rebounding (8.9), and assists (2.3) per game over 74 appearances this season.

As the offseason approaches, it is evident that the Lakers will be searching for a starting center. They concluded the season primarily utilizing Jaxson Hayes in that role, but his contributions were limited, as evidenced by a mere 30 minutes played across four games in the postseason against Minnesota.