Los Angeles Lakers: 3 cost efficient options at center with DeMarcus Cousins out

Tyler Zeller

After being picked up late in the season by the Memphis Grizzlies, Zeller went on to average 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 57.1% from the field and 77.8% from the line. It was a small sample size of only four games, but it showed if given a small role that he can still perform and help a team in short stretches.

The Lakers will score with the best teams in the league as long as they’re healthy, as they have two of the best players in the world combined with good outside shooting. Bringing in a veteran like Zeller could give the second unit an experienced player that can chip in the occasional 10 points and five rebounds some nights.

Being such a small sample size, as mentioned, it’s hard to gauge what player the Lakers would get but advanced metrics in the four games with the Grizzlies had Zeller at a 118.8 offensive rating and a 107.7 defensive rating. That’s good for a positive net rating of 11.1 which would be considered elite at that position.

Granted, keeping that up over an 82 game season would be very hard to do, but a reduced role with a better team could be great for his career. Still only 29 years old, Zeller has quite a few years left that he could play as a situational player.

At this point in the offseason it’s highly likely Zeller takes a veteran minimum offer. On a good team like the Lakers he could boost his value and get a small contract after this season, he is worth a look for a Lakers team looking to get some depth behind McGee.