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Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James open to the idea of playing center

By Nick Ziegler

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media after practice at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2018 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media after practice at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2018 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With the addition of LeBron James this season for the Los Angeles Lakers, there has been some speculation about him playing center.

The Los Angeles Lakers were able to sign one of the most versatile players in the NBA this offseason in LeBron James.

James is a truly unique talent, as he can play like a point guard in a forwards body. His ability to play multiple positions and defend multiple positions makes him extremely valuable on the court.

Last season, we saw the Lakers have multiple players that could play multiple positions. Having versatile players like this help with matchups against teams and can create mismatches on the offensive end of the court.

One of the ideas that has been tossed around since the Lakers signed LeBron is the possibility of him playing some minutes at center. Recently, James didn’t shoot the idea of that down, but he did say that he won’t be starting at center. Here’s what James said on the Lakers podcast with text via SilverScreenAndRoll.com.

"“I can do whatever it takes to win. Obviously I’m not going to start at center. That’s what we got big JaVale for, big Zubac. You know, we got some big guys. But I’m a basketball player. You put me on the floor I can make things happen.”"

James playing at center in the final six minutes of games is certainly something that we can see happen. On the Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green moves into the center position when the team puts out their “Death Lineup”

For the Lakers moving James to center for short stretches would allow them to get an extra skill position guy on the court. With the great length of Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma, moving James to center would allow both of them to play at the forward spots together. At the guards, the Lakers would have plenty of options with Lonzo Ball, Rajon Rajon, Josh Hart, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

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Considering Walton’s past with the Golden State Warriors and the success that they have had with Green at the center, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see James there to end games. As long as they aren’t facing a team with a dominant big man in the middle, James should be able to do just fine at the position to end games.

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