Why the Los Angeles Lakers still need to sign another free-agent center

By Jason Reed | Nov 24, 2020

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(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. There are still some decent options on the market

While the Los Angeles Lakers were unable to sign DeMarcus Cousins there are still some decent options for the team to explore in free agency. Hassan Whiteside is the best of the bunch right now and would be excellent as a bench rim protector but he is going to get more than league minimum and price himself out of LA.

But hey, if he wants to take the minimum to ring chase as a bench player on the Lakers then we certainly won’t complain.

Ian Mahinmi is probably the next-best option and he is not too shabby either. Mahinmi is a 12-year vet in the league who is a decent-enough rim protector and rebounder. He averaged 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 21.3 minutes played per game.

He could provide the same level of production as Dwight Howard did last year, albeit likely in less playing time.

Kyle O’Quinn is an okay veteran that would provide the depth that is needed. Thon Maker is young but is huge and if there is any player in the league that gets the most out of centers it is LeBron James, so perhaps they could mold him into something better in a small role.

There is not a surplus of options but there are still options on the market. The same cannot be said once the season starts.

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