Lake Show Life
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Lakers’ solution at center might be this controversial free agent

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 22: Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a 111-101 Lakers win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 22: Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a 111-101 Lakers win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers currently have 13 players on the roster and will almost certainly add at least one more before the start of training camp. Rob Pelinka himself confirmed that the team was actively searching for a center and was looking for someone with a different skill set than Jaxson Hayes.

This means that the team is looking for a big that can space the floor and the options are limited. The team had a perfect option in Jay Huff but lost him to the Denver Nuggets. There was also the possibility of bringing in another Klutch Sports client with Darius Bazley but he joined the Brooklyn Nets.

The current options are not great with the controversial Christian Wood being the most-talked-about option for LA. Heck, the possibility of the team making a sign-and-trade deal for Wood has been discussed, and despite how bad it would be for the Lakers, some fans are already selling themselves on the idea.

There is another controversial center on the free-agent market that might be a more realistic solution for the Lakers, especially if the team has to fork over an asset to Dallas to get Wood to come to LA.

Meyers Leonard could be the Lakers’ solution at the center position.

Los Angeles is looking for a floor-spacing big and that is exactly what Meyers Leonard would bring to the table. Th 31-year-old seven-footer has always been an above-average three-point shooter at the position with a career three-point percentage of 39% in 1.9 attempts per game.

His rim-protecting and rebounding have never been good, especially considering he is a seven-footer. But with his size and ability to space the floor, Leonard is someone who theoretically could come off the bench and play in the frontcourt next to Anthony Davis.

Leonard has been connected to the Lakers in the past as well. Los Angeles worked Leonard out in January before he ultimately joined the Milwaukee Bucks. Leonard had missed the entire 2021-22 season and played just three games in the 2020-21 season as he was suspended indefinitely by the NBA for the use of an anti-semitic slur during a live stream.

The previous workout with the Lake Show as well as the team’s expressed desire for a floor-spacing big makes Leonard a possibility for the team.

Next. 22 players the Lakers gave up on too early. dark

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