5 centers the Lakers can sign for support after Mo Bamba injury

3. Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside is the prototypical rim-protecting center that cannot really do anything that is not near the rim. Whiteside benefitted from this as he was the last center with this profile to cash out as he was paid a pretty penny by the Miami Heat.

In the 90s a player like Whiteside would have been highly coveted and teams would have gone after him. However, in today’s NBA, having this one-dimensional center simply is not as intriguing as he does not really add much to this style of basketball.

But he still can add a body to the depth chart and has the ability to come into the games in defensive sequences simply to serve as someone to protect the rim. Need a rebound on a free-throw attempt with the game on the line? Time to throw Whiteside into the game.

Again, like with Ibaka, it helps to have someone that could potentially go into the game for five minutes just to make someone work. Need to tire out Jokic or Deandre Ayton? Put in Whiteside to hang on them for five minutes and clash with them near the rim.

He cannot shoot, he isn’t someone who you want on switches to defend the perimeter and his best days are behind him. But Whiteside could still add something of value to LA.