Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up the court during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on April 2, 2026.

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, 2026. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Luka Dončić Told Los Angeles Lakers He Wants ‘A-List Center’

Ashish MathurJune 18, 2026 3:48 PMJune 18, 2026 3:55 PM

DHJ Quick Take: Dončić Demands Elite Center in LA

Targeting an Elite Big Man: Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić has informed team management that he wants an “A-list” center added to the roster, prompting front-office due diligence on restricted free agents like Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler.
Dominant Debut Season: In his first full season in Los Angeles, the elite playmaker completely dominated the league, leading the NBA in both total points and scoring average by dropping 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
Costly Injury Demise: Despite his spectacular individual campaign, a left hamstring injury suffered on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder forced the All-Star to miss the 2026 playoffs, derailing the Lakers’ postseason run.

Luka Dončić has told the Los Angeles Lakers that he wants an “A-list” center next to him, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“Luka’s first and foremost desire is an A-list center,” the source said.

There are several restricted free agents the Lakers have already done their due diligence on, including Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren and Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.

“Luka wants to be a championship team yesterday,” a source close to Dončić said. “Ever since the trade, they’ve always told us: ‘summer of ’26. We’ll show you in the summer of ’26.’ So, we are so excited that the summer of ’26 is here.”

Deandre Ayton, who started at center for the Lakers this season, has a player option worth $8.1 million for next season that he must exercise by June 29 or he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Meanwhile, Jaxson Hayes — who obtained a Slovenian passport to be able to compete on the national team with Dončić — is an unrestricted free agent.

Dončić led the NBA in total points and points per game in his first full season with the Lakers. He averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per contest.

Unfortunately for LAL, Dončić missed the 2026 playoffs because of the left hamstring injury he suffered on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

LeBron James led the Lakers to a first-round playoff series win against the Houston Rockets in six games. Without Dončić, though, LAL was swept by Oklahoma City in the second round.

A source close to Dončić told ESPN that Luka has kept in touch with James and Austin Reaves since the season ended. However, Dončić hasn’t pitched either player on returning to the Lakers.

James is a free agent for the first time since 2018, while Reaves will become a free agent once he declines his player option for next season.

While anything can happen in today’s NBA, James and Reaves are widely expected to re-sign with the Lakers. We’ll see, though, if Rob Pelinka can make Dončić happy by getting him a star center this summer.