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Los Angeles Lakers: Why Amir Johnson is the best option at center

By Addam Goldman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 10: Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers plays defense against the Indiana Pacers on March 10, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 10: Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers plays defense against the Indiana Pacers on March 10, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah is another aging center who’s currently on Rob Pelinka and the Lakers radar.

I have a confession to make; Noah used to be my favorite non-Lakers player. I loved his exaggerated Frenchness and the way he gave 100% effort throughout every minute of every game he played for the Bulls. I also appreciated the way he altered games through his defense and passing without having to score the ball.

Then at age 30, the injury bug hit Joakim Noah, and he only managed to play in 29 games during his last season in Chicago, before signing his now infamous contract with the Knicks.

Injuries continued to derail Noah’s career in New York, and he played in just 53 total games throughout his two and half year stay in the “Big Apple.”

After Noah disappointed while on the Knicks, he was traded to the Grizzlies last year, and he had a bit of a bounce-back season in the barbecue capital of America. All of which brings us to the present.

Noah’s currently unsigned, but if he has a strong audition in front of Rob Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers brass, he could wind up becoming LA’s new backup center.

Signing Noah would be a mistake.

When healthy, Joakim would be the Lakers best option. Last season through 42 games with the Grizzlies, Noah had an imposing 3.5 defensive box plus/minus, and he also had a 4.2 block percentage.

Last year, Noah was one of the best defensive backup centers in the NBA, just what the Lakers need heading into the 2019-2020 season. There’s one problem, though; he can’t stay healthy.

The Lakers must add a backup center who’s going to be able to soak up 10-15 minutes per game throughout the entire season. If LA’s new backup 5 gets injured and goes down for a large chunk of the season, it’s going to leave a massive hole in the Lakers lineup.

JaVale McGee has shown that he’s only good for 20 minutes per game. Anthony Davis has stated over and over again that’s he’s a power forward, but he’ll play around 10 minutes per game at the center position. That means the Lakers will need someone to play 12 minutes per contest at the center spot next season.

If the Lakers sign Noah and he gets injured for the fifth season in a row, then who’s going to absorb those 12 minutes per game as LA’s center?

Kyle Kuzma‘s too small to defends big’s on the block.

Jared Dudley‘s too old to try to stop the plethora of opposing big’s who suit up for opposing teams throughout the NBA.

Amir Johnson is the best option for the Lakers.

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