The Lakers will need to move their roster around Luka Donsic and LeBron James. NBA experts say they feel the team’s future deal.
The anti-climax end of the season holds back some sort of expectations around the Los Angeles Lakers. They flew high after buying Luka Donsic, but the Timberwolves brought them back to reality.
The team’s lack of centers was exposed in a loss in the first round. Jaxson Hayes became unplayable and LeBron James was filling up with centers.
GM Rob Pelinka himself acknowledged key roster issues and laid out a clear offseason priorities. LeBron also spoke about Anthony Davis, highlighting the team’s need for the presence of proper paint.
While many potential names are linked to the Lakers, NBA experts explain the players and types of productions that the team needs to replace.
The Lakers weren’t very good when Davis and Dangelo Russell were together. But that was before they added Luka. Now they are the exact type of profile they want, suggests Mike Bresnahan.
“They had that guy, they swapped him a few days after Christmas, he was going to take his 14-15 off the bench, but you got a defender at Dorian Finney Smith,” Bresnahan said.
“I think you’ve made that deal 10 out of 10, but now this offseason is chasing what they gave up with their two big deals.
“A big guy who can block shots, get rebounds, and extend the courts more than he can advertise.
“And of course, he managed to get 15 off the bench when you put down a guy like Dangelo who has his mistakes.
Doncic is just 26 years old and is the future of the franchise. It makes sense for Los Angeles to build anything that will make the most of Luka’s talent.
Bresnahan has named it two elite centres that the Lakers can target with free agents. Miles Turner and Naz Reid were both mentioned as past targets, but they are incredible next to the Slovenian genius.
Another name that took place in the round is Nic Claxton. The 26-year-old rim running big man would be an exceptional pick.
Whoever the team targets or trades, the center is a need for time. You can give Luka the right pick and roll partner.