Los Angeles Lakers: The best free agent to sign at each position

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 18: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Houston Rockets demands a ref challenge against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on April 18, 2021 in Orlando, 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 18: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Houston Rockets demands a ref challenge against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on April 18, 2021 in Orlando, 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

C: Hassan Whiteside

There are several veteran free-agent centers that the Los Angeles Lakers could theoretically sign for cheap. The team could reunite with either JaVale McGee or Dwight Howard, could bring in Robin Lopez, or could even sign Boban Marjanovic.

Out of all of the outright free-agent options this offseason, the veteran that might be the best to bring in is Hassan Whiteside. He is a bigger name so we have to avoid expecting too much, as was the case for Andre Drummond, but he would still be valuable.

The Lakers really just need someone who can help protect the rim and rebound the basketball, both of which Whiteside can do with no problem. They also need someone who can catch the occasional lob, which Whiteside will be just fine at doing with his size.

Whiteside only played 15.2 minutes per game with the Kings last season and he would probably get slightly more with the Lakers. I would expect Whiteside to get around 20 minutes per game with the Lakers, which is what JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard got two seasons ago.

The Lakers do not have to reinvent the wheel, they just need someone cheap who can bring the same dynamic as McGee and Howard did. And with how good those two looked in LA, I have a really good feeling about how good Whiteside may look in LA next to LeBron James.

It might not be the most popular name but quite frankly, Hassan Whiteside makes the most sense at center.