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

By Jason Reed

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 20, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 20, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. The buyout market for centers is awful

The Los Angeles Lakers could absolutely get by with the big men that they have on the roster now and simply re-evaluate once the buyout market develops itself. That is not an uncommon strategy and in most years that would be the way to go.

Instead of signing someone now, the team could wait for a veteran like Tyson Chandler to become available, something they did two seasons ago.

The problem with that strategy is that the buyout market for centers is pretty poor this season. There are some options but the options are worse than the free-agent options and even then, they might not even get bought out.

JaVale McGee is the leading candidate to get bought out this season but I doubt he returns to the Los Angeles Lakers after they traded him. But hey, who knows, crazier things have happened.

Robin Lopez is a potential option but the Washington Wizards just signed him this offseason. The team would probably be more intrigued to try and get a second-round pick out of him and with his contract only being for one year and being so small they could easily move him.

Bismack Biyombo has a big contract that the Charlotte Hornets could look to buy out but has the same problem of being undersized at only six-foot-eight. Gorgui Dieng is a candidate but is more of a four than a five.

Cody Zeller is the only other potential option but he is too good for the Hornets to outright buy out.

Next. Why the Lakers should sign Pau Gasol. dark

Simply put: the Los Angeles Lakers are not going to get a crop of new options during the season, so might as well make the move now.

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