Well, well, well, what do we have here? It's another conversation about the Los Angeles Lakers having a potential answer to the problem in the frontcourt. It's a tiresome talking point, but it is not one that will go away any time soon.
Barring a miracle, the Lakers are largely committed to the group they have for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season. Whether JJ Redick and his staff can scheme around their current center rotation and compete for an NBA title this season remains to be seen.
No matter the result that ultimately finds the Lakers in 2024-25, it would be surprising if Rob Pelinka and his crew did not address the center situation to some capacity during the 2025 offseason.
Naz Reid could solve the Lakers' issues down low
Jaxson Hayes has been thrust into the role of being the stopgap for the Lakers up front while they figure things out. The big man has been solid, yet unspectacular.
Hayes has averaged 7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks during the 20.2 minutes per game in the five-game sample size since Luka Doncic debuted with the Lakers. It should be noted that one of those contests was cut short due to injury.
The wheels have certainly not fallen off with Hayes starting. However, the sixth-year pro is far from the long term answer at the position.
What about Naz Reid?
The talent pool of available free agent centers for the Lakers to pursue in the offseason is a little lackluster. Reid could be the best option of the bunch, excluding Myles Turner. However, if there is one thing that recent history continues to teach NBA fans it's that Turner donning purple and gold is just not meant to be.
The good news is that Jake Fischer has reported that Reid is expected to be available this offseason.
"Reid ... possesses a $15 million player option for 2025-26 that many of those same strategists expect he’ll decline in search of a richer arrangement in the summer," Fischer wrote in his latest rumor mill roundup.
The NBA insider indicated it will be tough for the Minnesota Timberwolves to retain both Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker when there is a belief that Julius Randle is 'best-suited to exercise his $31 million player option for 2025-26.'
The current Sixth Man of the Year would be an attractive addition for the Lakers and should theoretically fit well with the team. However, this move would come with its fair share of complications as well.
The Lakers' cap situation is not ideal heading into the 2025 offseason. Fischer has indicated part of the reasoning for Reid declining his player option would be a raise. The Lakers could have difficulty offering that without some sort of sign-and-trade. With the Timberwolves' financial situation being the reason they would potentially let go of Reid, the two sides would likely need some help in any potential endeavor.
Naz Reid.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) May 5, 2024
All that being said, the Wolves big man may prove worth to be the trouble, if Pelinka and the Lakers front office set their sights on the versatile frontcourt talent.