Report: Lakers to pursue Festus Ezeli in free agency

The Los Angeles Lakers have already managed to snag their new head coach from the Golden State Warriors, perhaps their next starting center will come from the reigning NBA champions, as well.

Los Angeles will make a run at Warriors backup center Festus Ezeli when he hits restricted free agency this summer, a league source told SportingNews.com's Sean Deveney.

The 26-year-old reportedly prefers to remain with the Warriors, who have the right to match any offer which comes his way this offseason. He's under the assumption, though, that he will be inserted into the starting lineup when Andrew Bogut's contract comes off the books at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

The Lakers value Ezeli's ability to defend the rim as a shot-blocker, and foresee him being a nice complement to Julius Randle in the frontcourt.

He averaged seven points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 rejections (15 points, 12 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes) in 46 appearances for Golden State this year. Ezeli was out of action from Jan. 7 to April 1 due to a left knee injury, which he underwent arthroscopic surgery on in February. A right knee injury forced him to miss the entire 2013-14 season.

Several league executives told Deveney that a three-year, $50-million deal is what it may take to steal Ezeli from Golden State. However, anything exceeding a three-year contract would be considered a huge gamble considering his health issues in the past.