Los Angeles Lakers: 5 potential summer signings to watch closely

By Jason Reed | Mar 12, 2022

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 09: Lou Williams #6 of the Atlanta Hawks is defended by Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on March 09, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

4. Hassan Whiteside

While Anthony Davis should be playing more center for the Los Angeles Lakers the team does still need one rim-protecting, rebounding center that can fill in minutes off the bench. LA has gone with two of those options in recent years and it has not been great. Next year, the team should just sign one and play him off of Davis.

That one option should be Hassan Whiteside, who is probably the best of the minimum options on the market. Whiteside signed a minimum deal with the Utah Jazz this season and has been a productive big behind Rudy Gobert.

Whiteside is not that exciting of a player and you cannot play him in big minutes or in crunch time because of the potential mismatches against a small-ball lineup. However, as a traditional backup center, Whiteside offers exactly what the Lakers would be looking for.

The seven-footer is averaging 8.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 18.1 minutes per game. When compared to Dwight Howard, Whiteside is averaging 3.7 more points, 1.5 more rebounds and 1.4 more blocks per 36 minutes.

Whiteside also is not as old as Howard, who has been a step slower, especially later in the year.

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