The Los Angeles Lakers’ free agency period began with catastrophic news about their championship aspirations.
Within hours of the market opening, the franchise saw three centre targets signed elsewhere.
The NBA community quickly brought harsh criticism to social media and declared the Lakers a “hell” after not pursuing the help of the frontcourt.
Dominoes began to fall when Clint Capella spurred the Lakers and returned to Houston on a three-year, $21.5 million contract with Rocket.
Capella’s decision surprised Lakers management.
The veteran big man chose stability in Houston despite reporting his willingness to offer a similar deal.
Houston is currently boasting one of the league’s most interesting frontcourts, with Capella joining Alperen Senn and Stephen Adams.
This depth allows the Rockets to deploy multiple play styles, and the Lakers are stuck in a problematic center rotation.
The Lakers’ nightmare continued when Brooke Lopez agreed to a two-year, $18 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The former Milwaukee champion chose Crosstown rivals by reuniting with his original franchise.
Lopez’s decisions don’t just lose goals. It strengthens its direct competitors while highlighting the decline in Lakers’ appeal.
The Veteran Center offers quality backup minutes behind Ivica Zubac, who enjoyed last year’s breakout season.
The final blow came when Kevon Rooney signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelican.
The former Warriors champion became the third center not to land in Los Angeles within the first day of free agency.
With Rooney’s decision, the Lakers will fight for alternatives in an increasingly barren centre market.
With their main targets gone, the Lakers have to pivot on DeAndre Ayton as the rest of the viable option. The former Phoenix Center represents a last chance to deal with the weaknesses of the dazzling frontcourt before training camp.
Social media reactions are cruel, and fans have declared the Lakers “desperate” and “a chaotic scene” after this tragic free agency began.
The Lakers Center crisis threatens the championship window, bringing fans into question the management’s ability to build a competitive roster around superstars Luka Donsic and LeBron James.