The Lakers’ biggest preseason red flag is showing up right where they can least afford it: the middle.
Walker Kessler has been sidelined with a finger injury, and when he’s not on the floor, Los Angeles suddenly looks very light at center. That was on display Thursday night, when the Kings pushed the Lakers around on the glass and exposed the same issue that has lingered all summer.
“The Kings are killing the Lakers on the glass, more than doubling them up in rebounds (11 to 5). They have four offensive rebounds and a few putbacks. That’s been an early concern in these non-Kessler lineups,” Lakers insider Jovan Buha wrote.
That’s the problem in a nutshell. Kessler was supposed to help stabilize the position after the Lakers traded for him to open free agency, but the depth behind him remains shaky. Kevon Looney was the only other true center added, and even with Santi Mamukelashvili able to play there, the team is still searching for more help.
“The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic," The Athletic's Dan Woike reported. "They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Mamukelashvili can play the position, too.
The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Thybulle. The roster is currently at full capacity.”
When Looney sits, the margin for error gets even smaller. That’s why the concern has been so loud around the team, especially from those watching the rotation closely.
“JJ may not be worried about Kessler’s finger injury but man I am really really worried about the centers behind Kessler in the rotation,” Irwin posted.
The Lakers still have time to make a move as they work to trim the roster down to the required size, and adding another center would go a long way toward easing this issue. But if they can’t find a solution soon, this could turn from a preseason nuisance into a real problem once the games start counting.
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