Regardless of the outcome, the Los Angeles Lakers face crucial offseason priorities.
The LA Lakers are in a tight spot following their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, finding themselves down 1-3 in the series. Regardless of the final outcome, the franchise faces some major roster needs heading into the offseason.
Center Depth Crisis
The Lakers are tall, but short on quality centers, especially when it comes to depth. Their infamous reversal of the deal for Mark Williams with the Charlotte Hornets before the trade deadline now looks questionable. Jaxson Hayes' frequent injuries leave Head Coach JJ Redick with no choice but to play small ball, relying on the size of Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura to compensate for the lack of a physical presence down low.
In the absence of a sturdy center, the Lakers' offense often revolves around Dončić passing the ball around the perimeter, rather than penetrating the defense and distributing from above. The same issue applies to James, whose size advantage is often negated by opponents.
Guard Depth Woes
Although Dončić, James, and Austin Reaves can handle playmaking duties in theory, the Lakers lack depth at the guard position. Gabe Vincent runs hot and cold, and his playmaking abilities aren't enough to build a second unit around. Without a solid bench option, the Lakers' star players are stretched thin.
It seems the Lakers, having made the Dončić trade, are still in the early stages of adjusting their roster to fit their new superstar. Dončić is not a carbon copy of Anthony Davis, and the roster wasn't initially tailored to his strengths. This suggests that there will be significant roster changes this summer, and the Lakers will need to carefully balance their priorities to find the right mix of players.
From a financial perspective, although the Lakers need usable depth, they may not turn to hugely expensive options. Their ability to free up assets and sign the players they want will depend on the new restrictive collective bargaining agreement.
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Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Enrichment Data:The Lakers might consider free agents like Clint Capela, Myles Turner, and Daniel Gafford to fill the center void. Capela and Turner offer defensive presence and depth, while Gafford's athleticism and defensive capabilities make him an attractive option.
In the guard department, the Lakers might target versatile players who can shoot, playmake, and provide solid defense. The specific players they pursue could depend on a combination of retaining current players, making trades, and using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to attract free agents.
The Lakers' loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA playoffs has highlighted their roster needs, particularly in the center and guard positions. Despite relying on Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura to compensate for the lack of a physical presence down low, the Lakers are short on quality centers, with Jaxson Hayes' frequent injuries exacerbating their depth crisis.
Although Dončić, James, and Austin Reaves can handle playmaking duties, the team lacks depth at the guard position, with Gabe Vincent's inconsistent playmaking abilities not sufficient to build a second unit around.
To fill the center void, the Lakers might consider free agents like Clint Capela, Myles Turner, and Daniel Gafford. In the guard department, they might target versatile players who can shoot, playmake, and provide solid defense.
The Lakers' roster adjustments to fit Dončić will be ongoing, indicating that there will be significant roster changes this summer. Their ability to free up assets and sign the players they want will depend on the new restrictive collective bargaining agreement.
