The LA Lakers are eager to add sizes to their roster after the season flattened in the first round of the playoffs.
Within minutes of the LA Lakers elimination in the NBA playoffs, Charlotte Hornets Center’s Mark Williams chuckled the exit through social media.
His response to the jibe was divided, but he was able to understand his feelings. The Lakers traded with Mark Williams at the trade deadline before withdrawing the post-medical deal.
This move took place in a time of desperate activities after trading with Luka Donsic. The Lakers targeted Williams, misselected them and entered the playoffs without a recognized center.
Now it has been revealed that the LA Lakers had enquired another player before settling down with Mark Williams.
ESPN insider Dave McMenamine claims he knows the Lakers checked in with the Atlanta Hawks on Onica Oconwoo.
McMenamin told Straight Fire on the Jason McIntyre podcast: “We can’t tell you all the names on that list before Mark Williams traded, but in fact he assumed it was one of the lists that Rob Perinka presented to Luka.
Okongwu is on the same age as Williams, 24, and joined the league as the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft.
This led Williams to choose six spots over Tyrees Halliburton, the 12th overall pick, an NBA playoff breakout star with the Indiana Pacers.
Details of the call that took place between the Lakers and Hawks are unknown, but Atlanta was clearly reluctant to lose the middle part of the season, swapping the Cleveland Cavaliers with the DeAndre Hunter.
McMenamin added Okongwu.
Data shows Okongwu averaged 13.4 points and 8.9 rebounds last season. He also offered 28 double doubles. He was able to shoot strong 57% off the field.
Okongwu is not a finished product, but at age 24 he is at a good age to grow and develop with Luka Doncic, and his play with Slovenian has proven to help the centre increase production.
Rob Perinka has committed to addressing the Lakers’ flaws this offseason, and it’s no surprise that he checks in with the Hawks to measure Oconwoo’s price.