Lakers Rumors: Latest on Jakob Poeltl, Robert Williams, Day'Ron Sharpe After AD Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly been linked to multiple bigs since sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks as part of the blockbuster trade for superstar guard Luka Dončić on Saturday night.

According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet, the Lakers have expressed interest in Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl, although it is thought the Raptors are holding out for an offer that includes a first-round pick, likely with some level of protection. The Lakers' only first-round pick eligible to be traded is their 2031 selection.

Jovan Buha of The Athletic noted Monday on his YouTube channel (beginning at the 1:03:10 mark) that Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III and Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe are also on the Lakers' radar.

The Athletic's Sam Amick also reported Tuesday the Lakers "have had talks" with the Houston Rockets about a trade for Steven Adams. However, he cautioned "the two sides have been significantly apart, with no signs that a deal will actually get done."

"League sources say the Lakers have been attempting to use the contracts of Gabe Vincent ($11 million this season, $11.5 million next) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million this season; $11 million next season) in this pursuit," Amick added. "One significant hurdle, however, is that Kleber (who came to the Lakers in the Dončić deal) can only be traded in a one-for-one deal rather than being aggregated. Conceivably, that takes options like Atlanta big man Clint Capela (who is on an expiring deal worth $22.2 million) off the board."

L.A. shocked the basketball world Saturday with the acquisition of Dončić, a 25-year-old superstar who finished third in the NBA MVP voting and took the Mavs to the NBA Finals last season.

While Dončić's arrival gives the Lakers one of the best players in the NBA and perhaps keeps their championship window open longer, they had to part with another excellent player in Davis to make the move happen.

Davis, who turns 32 in March, is a 10-time All-Star who played a major role in the Lakers winning their most recent championship in 2020.

AD had arguably been the Lakers' best player this season even ahead of LeBron James, averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 blocks per game.

Trading Davis leaves the Lakers with a massive hole in their frontcourt, as Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Koloko are the top options at power forward and center.

The Lakers also brought in Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris as part of the Dončić trade, both of whom could play a role down the stretch.

However, Los Angeles needs a more reliable starter who can replace at least some of what Davis brought to the table and start alongside the likes of James, Dončić, Hachimura and Austin Reaves.

Of the bigs linked to L.A., Poeltl would be the most significant acquisition, as the 29-year-old veteran is enjoying a career year.

In 44 games, he is averaging a career-high 14.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game, plus he is averaging 1.3 blocks and shooting 61.1 percent from the field.

While Poeltl is nowhere near the offensive player Davis is, he would be a quality replacement on the defensive end, which is a major deficiency the Lakers must now account for.

As good of a fit as the Austrian would be in L.A., a source told Grange: "The Lakers know it would be pretty hard—not impossible—to get him."

If the Lakers can't get a deal done for Poeltl, they may have to shift their focus toward a lower-end option like Williams or Sharpe.

Williams, 27, is in his second season with the Blazers following a five-year run with the Boston Celtics.

Despite Portland being one of the worst teams in the league, he has been unable to carve out a consistent role for himself this season, averaging 5.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in just 17.3 minutes per game.

Williams showed during the 2021-22 season what he is capable of with extended playing time, though, as he averaged 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game.

While Williams likely wouldn't receive those types of minutes in L.A., he would be a great defensive addition, much like Poeltl.

Sharpe has a bit more offensive upside, as evidenced by his 7.9 points per game in just 17.3 minutes per contest this season.

The 23-year-old is also averaging 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists, while shooting 49.4 percent from the field.

The No. 29 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft out of North Carolina has only averaged 13.9 minutes per game over his four-year career, but he seems to have some untapped potential that could be realized with more playing time.

It is tough to say if he would play much more on a Lakers team that features Hachimura, Finney-Smith, Hayes, Vanderbilt and Koloko, but he could be a solid depth addition if general manager Rob Pelinka strikes out on bigger moves.

Time is quickly running out for the Lakers to make a notable frontcourt trade since the NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.