The Lakers’ center picture is still messy, and that’s the part of their offseason that keeps hanging over everything else.
Los Angeles already made the move to bring in Walker Kessler, but the cost of that deal left the roster thin in a spot that can’t really afford to be thin. Right now, Kevon Looney is the only true backup center behind Kessler, and that setup has real risk baked into it.
“This signing was a gamble. Loon was a replacement-level player last season.
The Lakers clearly believe he will be better, but they need another option. Going into the season with just two true centers is a problem.
If Kessler is forced to miss time, the Lakers have serious issues on defense and at the five," Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts wrote.
That’s why Los Angeles is still working the market. According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, the Lakers are continuing to check on big men and could go either route - trade or free agency - to solve the issue.
“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.”
One name that has come up as a possible fit is Dwight Powell, and SI’s Austin Veazey pointed to the kind of familiarity that could make him a natural target for Los Angeles.
“Powell was also on the Mavericks when JJ Redick spent the last half of the 2020-21 season with them, and he's now the head coach of the Lakers, which would provide more familiarity. The Lakers also traded for Jaden Hardy this offseason to get off Deandre Ayton's contract, giving them more former Mavs. If Powell is interested in continuing his career, the Lakers could give him that opportunity,” Veazey wrote.
Powell’s appeal is pretty straightforward. He already has ties to Luka Doncic and JJ Redick, which could help him settle in faster if the Lakers do bring him in. He’d also give the team a different look at center with his athleticism, and his rim-running ability could fit nicely next to Doncic.
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