The Los Angeles Lakers are fresh off winning their 17th NBA Championship. They were clearly the best team in the world from start to finish and will look to win back-to-back rings but that will be easier said than done considering how much other teams are expected to improve.
Moreover, part of the key to their success was having a solid rim-running big man who could anchor the paint and free Anthony Davis from those kinds of duties. Now, however, JaVale McGee is entering the last year of his deal and Dwight Howard is set to become a free agent.
With that in mind, the Los Angeles Lakers must pick up the phone and start making some calls to try and improve their chances at the center position, with plenty of choices available via trade or free agency. Here, we’ll let you know about the top 10 best candidates for them:
10. Aron Baynes – Free Agency
11.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.5 BPG
Aron Baynes struggled with injuries towards the end of the season but, when healthy, he gave the Phoenix Suns a huge presence down low, especially when Deandre Ayton was suspended. Moreover, he even added a consistent three-point shot to his repertoire.
The Los Angeles Lakers wouldn’t need to offer much money to land Aron Baynes, which is great considering they want to keep the flexibility to make more moves to improve their roster. He’s not exactly a shot-blocker but can alter some shots and he plays hard on both ends.
9. Derrick Favors – Free Agency
9.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.9 BPG
It’s pretty safe to say that Derrick Favors hasn’t fared nearly half as good as expected when he first entered the league but that has had more to do with injuries than with his play. When healthy, he’s proven that he can be a great factor on both ends of the floor.
Favors has some sweet moves in the post and can dominate the offensive glass as well. He’s a bit undersized and perhaps there would be some spacing issues with him playing side by side with Anthony Davis, but they should still give him a look as a cheap option.
8. Marc Gasol – Free Agency
7.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.9 BPG
Well, Marc Gasol is far beyond his prime and he was rumored to go back to Barcelona but he’d still be a major addition for any Championship team. He’s one of the smartest players you’ll ever find on a basketball hardwood, and he’s got the versatility to give the Lakers productive minutes off the bench.
Gasol is a former Defensive Player of the Year with a sweet scoring touch as well. He’s lost a lot of rhythm since joining the Toronto Raptors as he wasn’t as needed in the offense. Then again, he can give them just enough to make another deep playoff push.
7. Jonas Valanciunas – Trade
14.9 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 BPG
The Memphis Grizzlies made a strong push to make the playoffs last season but the reality eventually knocked on their door. They’re a promising team with a bright future but they’d be better off piling up assets to build a competitive squad around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Los Angeles Lakers could offer them Danny Green, Quinn Cook, and a pick. The Grizzlies would clear the salary cap and land another draft asset and they could even flip Danny Green to a contender to land another pick. The Lakers, on the other hand, would land an elite pick-and-roll defender and physical presence down low.
6. Steven Adams – Trade
10.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.1 BPG
Steven Adams is one of the best pick-and-roll players in the league. He’s an elite screener, a solid finisher, and the ultimate team player, and even if his offense is limited – to say the least – the Los Angeles Lakers would be wise to take a look at him.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are going through a rebuilding process so they’d love to land expiring contracts like Danny Green, Avery Bradley, and JaVale McGee. More than that, Adams is going to become a free agent in 2021 and would rather join a contender.
5. Serge Ibaka – Free Agency
15.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 BPG
Even though Serge Ibaka is no longer the top-tier shot-blocker he once was, he’s still a disruptive presence below the rim who can play at center despite being undersized. He’s stronger than most big men, he’s incredibly athletic, smart, and has developed a sweet scoring touch.
Serge Ibaka has even taken his game to the perimeter as a consistent three-point shooter. He could provide an elite two-way presence and some great versatility next to Anthony Davis. He’s reportedly interested in signing with the Raptors again but could be tempted to join a stronger team.
4. Tristan Thompson – Free Agency
12.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 BPG
LeBron James made sure that Tristan Thompson got his payday when they were teammates in the Cleveland Cavaliers and he could do exactly the same now. He’s set to be a free agent and we already know he’s got a strong rapport with The King.
Thompson hasn’t had the chance to showcase his talents with the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers lately but he’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the league. The Lakers would only need him to give them more second-chance opportunities and alter some shots but whether he’ll take less money is yet to be seen.
3. Hassan Whiteside – Free Agency
15.5 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 2.9 BPG
Hassan Whiteside is set to become a free agent and even though there are some serious concerns about his drive and feel for the game, he’s still expected to draw a lot of attention around the league thanks to his skill set, although at a major discount.
We all know Whiteside can block shots at a high rate and that he’s a dominant rebounder on both ends of the floor. He would have to put up more effort into the defensive end if he wants to be embraced by Lakers Nation, as they won’t tolerate a lack of commitment.
2. Andre Drummond – Trade
17.7 PPG, 15.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.4 BPG
Andre Drummond is definitely going to pick up his option because there isn’t a young player that’s going to give up on that much money. However, it doesn’t seem like he’s a part of the plans of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the future, and they’re likely to try and move him.
Drummond is young, strong, and a great defender, and perhaps the best rebounder in the league. The Lakers could get him for Danny Green, Avery Bradley, and JaVale McGee, which will help the Cavaliers clear the salary cap as they continue to rebuild.
1. Rudy Gobert – Trade
15.1 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.0 BPG
Rudy Gobert is one of the best defensive big men of all time already. He’s one of the most dominant rim protectors we’ve seen in a while and he’s also got the ability to stay in front of smaller, quicker players in the perimeter, so he would be a major pickup for the Lakers.
Los Angeles would have to give up Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma, Avery Bradley, and the 28th overall pick to lure him away from the Utah Jazz, but they’d only be able to pull this off if the rumors of his desire to leave the team and his feud with Donovan Mitchell are real. It’s a long shot, but they must try it.
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