The Los Angeles Lakers worked out centers Tristan Thompson and Tony Bradley this week but ultimately decided against signing either player. Los Angeles still has an open roster spot to potentially use for depth.
With Mo Bamba out the rest of the regular season and potentially part of the postseason, it would not be a bad thing for the Lakers to bring someone in for a playoff push that can simply add depth at the center position.
They do not have to play a massive role but if they can log 8-10 minutes a night to give Anthony Davis a break against bigger teams it would be worth it. The options might not be fantastic but there certainly are options.
3 centers the Lakers should work out next to potentially sign:
1. Nerlens Noel
Nerlens Noel agreed to a buyout with the Detroit Pistons earlier this season and seemed to find his new home as he signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets. However, that 10-day contract would not lead to anything else for Noel.
The Nets signed young center Moses Brown after the conclusion of Noel’s 10-day contract, essentially ending his tenure with the team. This, however, makes him free to work out with any NBA team to potentially fill a role down the stretch.
There is at least some interest in Noel already established by the Lakers as the team reportedly held trade talks with the Detroit Pistons for a Noel-Bojan Bogdanovic trade package before the deadline.
Noel was not the main prize of that trade package but it shows there is at least some interest. It would not hurt to have Noel work out as he has more upside than some of the older options considering he is still only 28 years old.