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NBA Finals 2016: 5 Things Lakers Should Watch

By Cody Williams

Mar 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Anderson Varejao (18) is congratulated by center Andrew Bogut (12) against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 118-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Anderson Varejao (18) is congratulated by center Andrew Bogut (12) against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 118-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Timofey Mozgov and Anderson Varejao

With Roy Hibbert’s contract expiring this offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers—mercifully, I might add—the organization is left in an interesting position in regards to their frontcourt. They are left without a quality traditional center on their roster that can play any kind of substantial minutes and will have a decision to make about how much money they want to spend on filling that hole in their roster in free agency. That’s where the NBA Finals will come in.

Related Story: Three Centers Who Lakers Could Sign This Summer

Let’s be clear, neither Timofey Mozgov for the Cavaliers or Anderson Varejao for the Warriors play substantial roles for their teams and there have been numerous games in this postseason where neither player has even seen the floor. That’s been necessitated because of matchups and going small, but that doesn’t mean that Mozgov and Varejao are useless and that they shouldn’t be of interest to the Lakers in the Finals.

Both Mozgov and Varejao are likely to serve as cost-effective free agency options at center this offseason. If the Lakers elect to not break the bank going after guys like Hassan Whiteside in free agency, players like these two guys become intriguing options. As such, the Lakers and their fans should keep an eye on the limited minutes that these two big men see in the NBA Finals to see which would make more sense in LA.

Next: No. 2 Stars Co-Existing

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