The Los Angeles Lakers have never been a franchise that settles for “good enough.” Championship banners line the rafters at Crypto.com Arena for a reason. So when the team pulled off a blockbuster move to land Luka Dončić, one of the NBA’s most transcendent offensive talents, it was more than just a superstar acquisition—it was a statement. The Lakers are going all-in. And they’re not stopping with Luka.
The next logical step? Giving him the kind of frontcourt help that can turn this team from playoff hopefuls into legitimate title contenders. That’s where Onyeka Okongwu enters the conversation.
According to multiple reports, the Lakers are revisiting a name they quietly inquired about at the trade deadline. Onyeka Okongwu, the high-flying, rim-protecting big man from the Atlanta Hawks, is very much on their radar. And for good reason.
Dončić is a basketball savant, capable of manipulating defenses with his passing, patience, and precise decision-making. But even the best conductors need the right instruments to create a symphony. The Lakers have long lacked the vertical spacing and rim pressure that an elite lob threat brings to the floor. In Okongwu, they wouldn’t just be adding a big man—they’d be unlocking an entirely new dimension of their offense.
Throughout his career, Luka has thrived with athletic bigs who can screen, roll hard, and finish above the rim. In Dallas, he elevated Dwight Powell and made Maxi Kleber a key rotation piece. Now imagine what he could do with someone like Okongwu, who’s not only younger and more athletic, but also brings legitimate defensive versatility and rebounding prowess.
Okongwu, standing at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, is built for the modern game. He may not be a traditional center in the mold of a Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokić, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in motor, mobility, and toughness. He’s a player who doesn’t need touches to be effective. He carves out space with his screening, rolls hard to the rim, and constantly keeps defenses on edge with his bounce and timing.
Last season, he quietly averaged 10.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in just under 24 minutes per game while shooting an efficient 63% from the field. But his impact goes beyond the numbers. Okongwu’s ability to defend in space, switch onto smaller players, and contest shots at the rim gives him a defensive ceiling few young bigs possess. He may not yet be a full-time starter in Atlanta due to Clint Capela’s presence, but he has all the tools to blossom in a more featured role.
That opportunity might come in Los Angeles.
The Lakers’ interest in Okongwu signals more than just a need for frontcourt depth—it’s a philosophical shift. Over the last few seasons, they’ve shuffled through a revolving door of big men: Andre Drummond, Thomas Bryant, Mo Bamba, Jaxson Hayes. While each brought something to the table, none had the combination of athleticism, defensive switchability, and vertical spacing needed to thrive alongside a player like Luka.
The team’s recent construction has lacked that high-flying big who can collapse a defense with the threat of a lob and recover quickly enough to protect the rim. That kind of pressure is invaluable in the playoffs, where spacing tightens, defenses get more physical, and every possession matters. Having a big who can catch a lob or switch onto a guard without getting torched is the difference between surviving a seven-game series and getting bounced early.
Luka’s arrival is a franchise-altering move, but it also demands a different kind of roster around him. He controls the pace, the rhythm, and the offense itself. Surrounding him with wings who can shoot and defend is a must. But pairing him with a lob-finisher and defensive anchor is the real key to maximizing his impact. Okongwu fits that bill.
Some may argue that trading for Okongwu is a gamble. After all, he’s only 23 and still developing. He hasn’t logged huge starter minutes consistently. But that’s precisely why the Lakers should strike now. His value is still manageable, and he’s not yet priced like an All-Star. The upside, however, is undeniable.
With Dončić under contract and entering his prime, the Lakers are facing a clear window of opportunity. LeBron James is still in the picture—though his role is evolving—and Anthony Davis remains a defensive force when healthy. But the future, both immediate and long-term, belongs to Luka. It’s no longer about building around LeBron or riding out AD’s timeline. It’s about constructing a sustainable, Luka-centric roster that can compete now and grow into the future.
Adding Okongwu would accelerate that process.
Imagine the pick-and-roll combinations. Luka with Okongwu rolling hard to the rim, shooters spaced in the corners, and a secondary ball-handler to keep defenses honest. That’s not just a functional offense—it’s a nightmare to guard. And on defense, Okongwu can switch onto guards, hedge screens, or play drop coverage depending on the matchup. He’s agile enough to guard in transition and strong enough to battle in the post.
For a team that struggled with consistent paint presence and interior defense last season, Okongwu offers stability and upside. His presence could allow Davis to play more freely at the four, where he’s most comfortable. It also eases the defensive burden on Luka, who is not known for his lockdown defense. With Okongwu behind him, Luka can gamble more, take calculated risks, and conserve energy for offense.
The path to acquiring Okongwu won’t be simple. The Hawks value him, and they’re not just going to give him away. But Atlanta is entering a transitional phase themselves. With rumors swirling around Trae Young’s future and Capela’s contract looming, the Hawks might be open to retooling. If the Lakers can put together a compelling package—perhaps centered around draft assets and young talent—there’s a real shot here.
Of course, there will be skeptics. Some will question whether Okongwu is ready for a featured role. Others will argue that the Lakers should prioritize veteran experience or chase bigger names. But the truth is, superteams aren’t always built by stacking stars. Sometimes, it’s the perfect role player—the one who fits the puzzle—that makes the difference between a second-round exit and a championship run.
The Lakers don’t need another ball-dominant star. They have that in Luka. What they need is infrastructure. They need glue guys, defensive anchors, lob threats, and versatile defenders. They need players who can run with Luka in transition, clean up the glass, and elevate his game without demanding the ball. That’s Onyeka Okongwu.
This isn’t just about highlight-reel dunks or flashy blocks. It’s about constructing a team with intention. The Lakers have a chance to build something that outlasts the LeBron era—something that puts them back in the perennial contender conversation. That starts with smart, future-focused moves. Okongwu is one of those moves.
He’s not a household name yet, but he has all the makings of one. And in the spotlight of L.A., playing next to one of the game’s brightest stars, his game could flourish in ways we haven’t seen yet. The fit is clean. The need is obvious. The time is now.
From star to superteam—that’s the vision. The Lakers already made the splash by bringing in Luka Dončić. Now it’s about making that splash matter. Giving him the right running mate could be the difference between regular season highlights and deep postseason runs. In Onyeka Okongwu, the Lakers might just find the perfect partner for the next great chapter in franchise history.
