Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has been very busy this offseason. After saying goodbye to LeBron James, he followed it up with a series of moves that added Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle, Quentin Grimes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili (among others). Going into the upcoming season, they are poised to be competitive, and the hope is that they can surprise some people with their performance.
Even after all that, however, Pelinka is still actively trying to get more deals done. It’s been reported already that the Lakers are pursuing Jonathan Kuminga, but there’s another name that has emerged on their radar: young center Moussa Diabate of the Charlotte Hornets.
“I am sure he is someone on the Lakers’ radar; I don’t think you are getting him for a second [round pick],” reported Lakers insider Jovan Buha.
The Lakers have been vulnerable defensively since the departure of Anthony Davis, but a trade like this could help them improve in that area. At the very least, Diabate would add some depth at the center position, a glaring area of weakness for the current Lakers roster. But Diabate is not the only Lakers target, and they will have to decide how much he’s worth compared to other potential additions.
With a hole at the small forward spot that demands to be filled, Kuminga is the priority for right now, but his situation is complicated as he continues to seek the best deal possible. There’s no word yet on which way he’s leaning, and the Lakers can’t wait all day to fill out the rest of their roster. Besides, Diabate is arguably the better fit for this team, especially since he’d come at a much lower cost.
With averages of 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game on 63.1% shooting from the field last season, Moussa Diabate is no star by any stretch, but his skill set as a high-motor, strong defensive center makes him an ideal target for Los Angeles. At 6’10”, he adds size to the rotation and would give the Lakers more flexibility off the bench.
The only catch for the Lakers is that Diabate is not currently available. He’s on the books for $2.4 million next season, meaning the Lakers would have to trade for him unless he gets bought out. While they seemingly wouldn’t mind giving up Jarred Vanderbilt or Jake LaRavia in a deal, the Hornets want picks, and the Lakers don’t have much to offer.
Ultimately, securing another difference-making player will not be easy for a Lakers team that has committed over $120 million to their new big three. They have so few assets to work with, but Luka Doncic’s presence demands they do everything they can to build a contender. In their situation, Diabate is the best way to reach that goal, but it remains to be seen if the Lakers have enough to land him. The good news is, even if they can’t get it done right now, they can always try again during the season, when all is subject to change.
