Mo Bamba and 3 centers the Lakers will definitely regret not signing
By Jason Reed
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: Mo Bamba #11 of the Orlando Magic warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2022 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: Mo Bamba #11 of the Orlando Magic warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2022 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1a6f275d784314eca9fa4cb7911a947e83a5df6ffc48dcc02162ce805a6f6c95.jpg)
The Lakers will regret not signing Nerlens Noel
Nerlens Noel is different from the other centers on this list as he is not someone who is going to space the floor for the offense. Noel is a 20% three-point shooter in his career and he only attempts them when drastic times call for drastic measures. The former sixth overall pick has taken 15 total threes in his entire career.
While Noel does not match up with what the team is reportedly looking for it did not stop the Lakers from reportedly being interested in him. Noel ended up signing with the Sacramento Kings and shortly thereafter it was reported that the Lakers did have interest in him.
This was after the team already signed Jaxson Hayes as well, so it is not like they were interested in signing Noel before Hayes. Los Angeles had a plan in place to potentially play both Hayes and Noel and it obviously fell through.
Unless a team releases a promising center before the start of the regular season, the Lakers will regret not coming to terms with Noel. There is not an option on the market right now that is better than Noel outside of Christian Wood, who comes with his own baggage.
Noel isn’t the difference between making a title run and missing the playoffs but he could have been a solid depth piece for the regular season.