The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the 2024-25 season in the same predicament as in 2023-24. Anthony Davis will anchor an interior that's elite by proxy, but the depth behind him has been an issue the Lakers have spent upwards of a year being unable to resolve.
Thankfully, the answer to Los Angeles' problem is already signed—it's simply a matter of elevating them in role and roster placement.
The Lakers are preparing to enter training camp with Davis at the 5-spot and a healthy rotation of forwards split between the 3 and the 4. That group includes Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Dalton Knecht, and Jarred Vanderbilt—sufficient depth for both positions.
Unfortunately, the depth chart at center is limited to Christian Wood, who recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, and Jaxson Hayes, who remains an unproven commodity.
As a result, Anthony Davis has doubled down on his 2023 request for Los Angeles to improve at center and thus provide him with defensive relief and more minutes at power forward. Furthermore, head coach JJ Redick has spoken about his hope that the Lakers will add a big, bruising center.
The trade route may ultimately prove to be the best option, but the Lakers have an opportunity for internal growth that will enable them to retain their assets.
Colin Castleton has the perfect skill set for the 2024-25 Lakers
Earlier this summer, Colin Castleton signed a second consecutive two-way contract with Los Angeles. He appeared in just 16 NBA games last season, averaging a mere 3.7 minutes per contest, but played well during his 24 appearances with the South Bay Lakers in the G League.
Across G League regular season and Showcase Cup competition, Castleton averages 16.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.7 offensive boards, 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 28.8 minutes per game.
Thriving in the G League doesn't necessarily prove that a player is ready to play postseason-caliber minutes on an NBA roster. Castleton has been the epitome of steady growth, however, showcasing a willingness to expand his game and contribute in virtually every phase of it.
That came to a head at the 2024 Summer League, when Castleton was arguably the best player on the Lakers when factoring in consistency and games played.
While Bronny James and Dalton Knecht understandably captured the headlines, Castleton stole the show with five double-doubles in eight games. He pulled down 3.5 offensive boards per contest, dished out 3.5 assists per outing, and produced two particularly dominant showings.
Castleton tallied 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, four blocks, and two steals against the Miami Heat, and added 17 points, 12 boards, six assists, and two steals against the Atlanta Hawks.
It was a stunning display from Castleton, who began to come into his own as an ideal five-out center. His shooting range is slowly improving, while his passing and range to quickly get back into the paint and create second chances make him a modern big who can fit well within a sharpshooting team.
Considering the Lakers are planning to shoot more threes in 2024-25 than they did a season ago, that type of presence could prove essential.
Furthermore, Castleton looks the part of an aggressive offensive rebounder who would help change the culture of a Lakers team that ranked dead last in the category in 2023-24. He's not an elite defender, but he plays the passing lanes well and embraces physicality in the paint.
Perhaps there are bigger names to be acquired via trade, but before the Lakers give up draft picks to improve at center, Castleton deserves a genuine opportunity to secure a role in the rotation.