The Los Angeles Lakers had a lot of issues last season that resulted in the team having one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. One roster hole that was highlighted before the season began was the lack of a true backup power forward behind Anthony Davis.
Trevor Ariza was the closest thing to a backup power forward that the Lakers had on the roster to start the season and he did not play until December. Once he did play, it quickly became obvious that he was no longer fit to play minutes in an NBA rotation.
This lack of a backup power forward reared its ugly head in two ways. First, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis being so bad on the floor together was made worse by the fact that the team did not have another big it could play with the pair to help the floor spacing. Westbrook, Davis and a traditional center were downright awful.
Second, when Anthony Davis went down the team really didn’t have anyone that could step up and play minutes at the four. Having a true backup power forward would not have magically made the Lakers a contender but it would have helped.
The Los Angeles Lakers cannot make the same mistake in free agency this offseason.
Rob Pelinka and the front office have to ensure that they are targeting players who could successfully be a backup power forward for Anthony Davis next season. This is important to not only keep Davis fresh but give the Lakers true options with size behind him to play next to Westbrook.
The Lakers are limited with who they can bring in this summer as they can really only bring in minimum players and one taxpayer MLE guy (worth $6.4 million). Los Angeles might not be able to spend big but there are still options for the team to consider.