Life comes at you fast. You start your morning writing about how one of the players on a two-way deal for the Los Angeles Lakers should be looking over their shoulders at risk of being replaced. That same day by evening time, it happens. Rob Pelinka has made a push for center help.
Michael Scotto reported the Lakers released AK Okereke from his two-way deal. The NBA insider quickly followed that up with another report about Los Angeles promptly filling that spot. Lawson Lovering is who will get the first crack at proving himself capable alongside Luka Doncic.
With Kevon Looney's struggles, the Lakers needed to consider their options when it came to upgrading the frontcourt. Releasing one of their two-way players and adding a center with one of those spots stood out as the path of least resistance in searching for reinforcements.
Lovering went undrafted before ending up with the Memphis Hustle. The 23-year-old center eventually got a shot to appear in a couple of games for the Memphis Grizzlies last season, averaging 7.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in those outings.
No one is going to sit here and sell you the world of Lovering as a high upside pickup. However, taking a shot here is the right move for Pelinka and the Lakers.
Lakers have begun the search for their next hidden gem at center with Lawson Lovering
Is Lovering going to suddenly emerge as this undeniable center prospect that has been overlooked all this time? Probably not. However, it was a good move on the franchise's part to start kicking the tires on figuring out who could be.
Maybe it is him. Going 1-for-1 on your shots taken at finding a hidden gem would be great. It would be just as okay if this is the first player in a long line of centers the Lakers try out in their search for something sustainable.
JJ Redick has been insistent on giving Looney at least one or two shifts out there in the rotation so far. Those minutes have gone as poorly as one could imagine. Why not take a few shots at finding someone on the fringes who can do better than the veteran center?
Even if it takes a few tries, that is a worthwhile venture considering the low price of entry involving a two-way deal. The downside is low.
The Lakers have uncovered gems on two-way deals before. Jordan Goodwin sticks out as a recent example. Perhaps a dedicated effort can nab one at the center spot, too.
Add us as a preferred source on Google