Los Angeles Lakers: Pre-Free Agency starting lineup prediction

Center: DeAndre Jordan

A bit of a curve ball, but hear me out. Jordan did not had the best season last year. He has not looked the dominant defensive presence we had come to enjoy seeing. At times Jordan has looked a shell of himself. We can put that down to not playing for a championship contender and a team that lessened his role on offense to just lobs and dunks.

While his lesser role might spell bad news for DJ, it could be really good news for the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers having a few million to spend after securing D’Angelo Russell to a deal less than the max, the Lakers will have a few million to offer Jordan before they are over the cap.

If Jordan can return to his best, he can be a dominant shot blocker for the Lakers. Even during a down season, Jordan was still an elite rebounder averaging 13.1 rebounds per game which was ranked 3rd overall, only behind Andre Drummond and Joel Embiid.

Jordan was also able to shoot a respectable number from the free throw line averaging 70.6% for the year which slightly removes a glaring weakness to his game. He is still an non-existent shooter, however in tight situations, Jordan can be subbed out, Davis moved to center and Kuzma can off the bench at 4-spot to offer more shooting.