In the lead-up to the February trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers explored adding depth to their roster by inquiring about Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin during a discussion on the Straight Fire podcast with Jason McIntyre. This inquiry occurred prior to the Lakers' decision to rescind an earlier trade agreement with the Charlotte Hornets that would have brought Mark Williams to Los Angeles.

Okongwu, who played college basketball at USC, stands at 6 feet 10 inches and is recognized for his ability to serve as a lob threat, coupled with solid defensive skills in the paint. While he may not reach the superstar status that some Lakers supporters prefer, he could have effectively addressed the significant void at the center position that was exploited by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the playoffs. Additionally, with Okongwu set to turn 25 in December, his age aligns well with the Lakers’ current strategy, which appears to revolve around establishing Luka Dončić as the cornerstone of the franchise.

Moreover, Okongwu is currently under contract for three more years at a reasonable $47.98 million, which makes him an appealing target. However, it is important to note that the Hawks named Okongwu their starting center in January, indicating a lack of interest in trading him. Nonetheless, the Hawks are also facing challenges in determining their future direction, having missed the playoffs in the last two seasons and failing to surpass 43 wins since the 2015-16 season. Should they consider a short-term rebuilding phase, Okongwu could emerge as a key asset owing to his age, contract, and noteworthy performance, as evidenced by his career highs in scoring (13.9), rebounding (8.9), and assists (2.3) per game across 74 appearances this season. As the Lakers continue to seek a starting center, the postseason proved challenging for Jaxson Hayes, who garnered limited minutes in the playoffs with 30 minutes played over four games against Minnesota.