Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking positions of need in 2020 NBA Draft

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Rajon Rondo #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Rajon Rondo #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
2 of 5
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

4. Center

The center position is changing more than ever in the NBA and while you can make the case for the team needing a stretch five, we have to draw the line in the sand somewhere and make a distinction.

In all reality, if the Lakers get a stretch big man then they are going to be playing the four more than they are going to be playing the five. The Lakers are not going to task a stretch big to bang bodies down low when they could have Anthony Davis operating as the five and still have JaVale McGee on the roster.

Thus, if the Lakers select a college center that stretches the floor, I am going to go out on a limb and say that the “center” becomes a power forward for the Lakers.

Plus, the Lakers seem to be set at the center position as long as everything goes as planned. Dwight Howard can be re-signed for cheap and DeMarcus Cousins should absolutely be brought back.

Cousins won’t be the same All-NBA guy but if he can be 75% of what he used to be then the Lakers will have a top-10 center in the league.

The team also has the fallback option of JaVale McGee if needed, although Howard and Cousins are more talented.