Los Angeles Lakers: 5 centers to consider in 2018 NBA draft

The Los Angeles Lakers could use help at the center position next season, especially if they do not re-sign Brook Lopez. They might use this year’s NBA draft to help solve their uncertainty at the position.

The Los Angeles Lakers could undergo an overhaul at the center position this offseason. The center position has become somewhat devalued in an NBA that is becoming much more perimeter oriented. However, the Lakers have traditionally built all their championship teams around star big men like Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal.

This year’s draft class is loaded with talent at the center position if the Lakers go that route in the draft. They do not pick until the 25th selection in round one, so they will not have a shot at the big stars like DeAndre Ayton, Marvin Bagley, or Mohamed Bamba. This draft class is deep with players that can still make an impact late in round one.

The Lakers scouting department also have been great at drafting in similar spots the past few seasons. Last year they arguably found the steal of the draft when they picked Kyle Kuzma with the 27th overall selection.

They have spent high draft selections recently on every position except center, which is why they could decide to take one in round one. Ivica Zubac and Thomas Bryant are intriguing young options at the position already on the roster. Yet, if they do not decide to bring back Brook Lopez, then they should draft another young guy to try and compete for minutes.

Here is a look at some center prospects that could be available for the Lakers when they pick at 25th and 47th in this year’s draft.