The Celtics overtook the Lakers for the 18th NBA title. Los Angeles needs to beef up its roster to take a shot at the NBA Championship this 2024-2025 season. The team’s roster review needs a center to augment Anthony Davis. He played center exclusively but the team’s performance ebbed whenever he was called to rest.
With a center alongside Davis, the former Pelican can maneuver as a power forward, thereby contributing more points on the offense. Anthony Davis’ workload will be lightened with a big man who can stand tall against other NBA centers. With that said, a center is the top priority for the next season.
Next Season Showdown with Big Men from the Other NBA Teams
The Lakers saw what they lacked and are working to address their weakness. Denver Nuggets’ center Nikola Jokic displayed dominance and mastery over Los Angeles. Davis is a strong center but he isn’t quite capable of dealing with the leading bigs in the league. AD will be contending again with the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Then with the big men from the reigning champions in Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet.
Davis will again be battling Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers), Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans), and Nikolas Vucevic (Chicago Bulls). Also, there are Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokuonmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jusuf Nurkic and Robin Lopez of the Phoenix Suns.
Potential Centers this offseason through the NBA Draft and Free Agency
After the Lakers’ experience with the Denver Nuggets and Center Nikola Jokic, the call for a big man received attention. Denver crushed the Lakers in Game 5 of the playoff quarterfinals. Jamal Murray sealed the win after firing the winning shot with 3.6 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. The Nuggets went on to the next round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. As a result, LA was eliminated from the playoff race.
With the frustrating loss, the Los Angeles Lakers turned to nursing their wounds by strengthening their roster in search of a center to play along with Davis. The Lakers hoped that bringing Christian Wood would stop the bleeding last season. But Wood made a mediocre impact on the team.
LA Lakers eyeing Purdue Boilermakers’ Big Man Zach Edey
Purdue Star Center Zach Edey will be a potential fit in the search for a big man to help out Davis. There are limited names in the free market agency. But players such as Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans), Goga Bitadze (Orlando Magic), Andre Drummond (Chicago Bulls), and Jalen Smith (Indiana Pacers) could fill the need to play with Davis.
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