The Los Angeles Lakers are upset after losing in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Bobby Marks outlined their biggest offseason needs.
The Los Angeles Lakers had a season earlier than they had, and many NBA worlds were expected. In five quick games, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
For the Lakers, the series was defined by its lack of depth. JJ Redick played only five starters in the second half of Game 4, and was attacked for it, finishing the series in which the five Lakers played over 150 minutes compared to three Timberwolves.
Depth generally needs to be addressed by the Lakers, but they only play Jaysson Hayes for 31 minutes in total, but it’s clear that LA will need a lower body next season.
This season, the Lakers made a huge hit deal to add Luka Donsic from the Dallas Mavericks, and soon followed by 2031 draft pick Rookie Dalton Knecht, sending a first-round swap to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams.
But the next day, Williams physically failed, and the deal turned around, bringing both teams awkward moments when the resignation players returned.
However, if the deal was done, there is no guarantee that Los Angeles was better in the series.
“I’ve seen people say that Mark Williams would have made a difference to the series,” said Bobby Marks of ESPN.
“That’s not true. It’s not true. And I like Mark Williams as a player, but defensively he’s below average.
Williams is a great rebounder and scorer for the Rim, but he is not a threat to open floors, he cannot make the floor space, not a shot blocker, but an area where the Lakers have been able to improve.
Los Angeles is linked to Giannis Antetocompo, but they spend a huge amount of money to re-sign LeBron James and there is no room for adding Greek freaks, but there is draft capital to add solid role players through trade.
The Lakers have revealed that Knecht is not part of the long-term plan to move forward, and that he may be unhappy with the organization.
Los Angeles has made it clear they are willing to trade Knecht and at least one pick for a solid center.
“You have to go out and get a rim runner,” Marks outlined. “You need to get the threat of Rob. You have to get someone who can protect the paint, and you know what the packaging is about what you have to get out there and do it.”
While Antetokounmpo fits the bill, players like Nic Claxon, John Collins, Walker Kessler, Robert Williams III (Healthy) or Jakob Poeltl could all be a reliable fit next to the Los Angeles star, depending on the asking price.