The Los Angeles Lakers revamped their roster this offseason but there is still a need for a combo big.
The Los Angeles Lakers have remade their roster this offseason. The young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Ivica Zubac is still intact. However, there has been an infusion of veterans this offseason.
The headlining acquisition was the signing of LeBron James. With James in town, the Lakers become an instant playoff team and contender. He was not the only veteran that the Lakers brought in.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was re-signed to a one-year deal. In addition, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee, Rajon Rondo and Michael Beasley all agreed to one-year deals. Bringing in playoff-tested veterans and playmakers was key for Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka this offseason.
They accomplished that goal, but there is still work to be done. The biggest hole remaining is in the frontcourt, namely at center.
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Recently at Bleacher Report, an article was compiled discussing the biggest holes remaining for each team in the NBA. For the Lakers, a combo big man was named the biggest need.
Here is part of what they said about the Lakers biggest need.
"Battling with rival bigs on the less glamorous end is an entirely other matter. The Lakers need a combo big who lets James pick and choose frontcourt assignments and therefore rids this moonlighting venture of any associated stigma. They don’t have that player right now.JaVale McGee isn’t him. Moritz Wagner will be overpowered by burly 5s and a deer in headlights opposite face-up 4s. Kuzma and Michael Beasley will top out against power forwards—if they give Los Angeles anything on defense at all."
This is certainly a need for the Lakers, especially if James plays some center this season, as Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report has hinted could happen. The current big men on the roster have some strengths but do not fit the exact need that the Lakers would be looking for.
McGee would play a traditional center role, which wouldn’t present the mismatches the Lakers would be hoping for. Wagner would be an interesting pairing given his offensive prowess and ability to spread the court. However, he leaves a lot to be desired defensively.
Finding a player of that specific skill set is not an easy thing to do. Head coach Luke Walton will certainly experiment with different lineups to see where James fits in best. Using him as a center is something we should see depending on the opponent.
James presents mismatches wherever he is on the court regardless of the position he is playing. It will be up to Walton to figure out how to maximize those mismatches throughout the season.