Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka acknowledged the team’s dire need of a center heading into the offseason. While speaking at the Lakers’ end-of-season press conference, Pelinka outlined the type of center the team would be looking to acquire.
“In terms of center traits, it would be great to have a center that was a vertical threat, a lob threat, and someone that can protect the interior defensively. I think those would be keys.”
“But there are multiple types of centers that could be effective in the league. There’s also spread centers that can protect the rim, we’ll look at those as well. So I wouldn’t want to limit the archetype, but we know we need a big man.”
Pelinka’s comments point to an obvious flaw in the Lakers’ roster that needs to be addressed. The lack of a functional big man was made glaringly apparent in the Lakers-Wolves series as Minnesota’s size and length proved to be too much for the Purple and Gold to overcome.
The Lakers’ lack of size was something that was called out by their star LeBron James at the end of Game 5 as well. James avoided blatantly speaking about the Lakers’ roster issues but pointed to how their former big man, Anthony Davis, was traded the moment he addressed the team’s need for a center.
In some capacity, the Lakers had attempted to bring in a center around the time of the Davis trade. The Purple and Gold almost completed a trade to see Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams join the side. However, they rescinded the trade shortly after.
Although it was claimed to be due to medical issues, recent claims suggested that the Lakers felt like they were overpaying for Williams. Left without a functional big man in their rotation, the Purple and Gold proceeded to adapt to playing with Jaxson Hayes as the starting center.
As things stand, the Lakers have been linked to a lot of centers who could potentially bolster their rotation. Pelinka’s statement presents the template for two very different types of centers – a stretch big man, who can provide floor spacing, and an athletic big man, who can act as a lob threat.
However, the most important detail that the team is likely to be on the lookout for is a center who can also act as a rim protector. Trading Davis had a massive impact on the Lakers’ internal defense. As one of the premier defensive players in the league, the former Lakers center used to shut down the basket for opposing teams.
The team has currently been tied to players such as Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela, Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid, and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, among others.
Replicating Davis’ defensive work is going to prove to be a challenge. However, this offseason will require the front office to put in this kind of work if they hope to be contenders next season.
With Luka Doncic’s contract extension due in August and LeBron James’ tentative future in the NBA emerging as pressing matters to be addressed, the Purple and Gold will have their hands full.
