Lakers might trade for $78 million former Pac-12 Player of the Year

The Los Angeles Lakers are most likely going to trade for a center before February's deadline.

Los Angeles has been linked to veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas (Washington Wizards) and Robert Williams III (Portland Trail Blazers), among others.

There's another highly productive center that the Lakers should consider, however.

He's a former No. 9 overall pick who has spent time with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors thus far in his nine-year NBA career. He was also Pac-12 Player of the Year at Utah.

29-year-old Jakob Poeltl could provide exactly what the Lakers need -- a seven-foot rebounding machine to place beside Anthony Davis, allowing AD to play his more natural position at power forward.

Poeltl is having a career year for the Raptors through 13 games with averages of 14.8 points (career-high) and 11.6 rebounds (career-high).

Friday night was a glaring reminder of how impactful he can be not only on the glass but as a scorer. Poeltl finished with 25 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Poeltl already logged a 19-rebound masterclass versus the Denver Nuggets this season.

He's in year two of a four-year, $78 million deal. 

GM Rob Pelinka should have an offer prepared for Poeltl. The Lakers' title chances would grow significantly if he landed in L.A.

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