The Los Angeles Lakers are in a position where acquiring another center could significantly improve their roster. Anthony Davis has made it clear that he prefers to play alongside another big man, rather than being the sole presence at center. This is not a new request, as Anthony Davis has been vocal about this preference since joining the Lakers in 2019.
Anthony Davis’ Request Continues To Be Unanswered By Lakers
When Davis plays power forward, he has more room to operate, which allows him to remain healthy and more efficient. While the team experienced success with this arrangement during Davis’ first year, recent seasons have seen him play more minutes at center. According to reports from Dave McMenamin of ESPN,
“Davis has made it clear to the Lakers, sources told ESPN, that he prefers to play alongside another big more often.”
Who Can The Lakers Add To Fulfill Anthony Davis’ Request
Two available options that could fulfill this need are Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers and Jonas Valanciunas, who was recently signed by the Washington Wizards. Both of these players have the size and skills that could provide the Lakers with the physicality they need in the paint. Williams, in particular, is known for his defensive prowess, shot-blocking ability, and athleticism. Valanciunas, on the other hand, brings a more traditional center’s skill set, including rebounding and post-play, and has been a consistent performer throughout his career.
The Lakers could pursue these options through trades, leveraging contracts like those of Gabe Vincent, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, or Jarred Vanderbilt. Moreover, they have up to 10 draft picks between now and 2031, including the possibility of trading two first-round picks. This flexibility provides them with more than enough assets to make a strong trade offer for either center. McMenamin spoke to this in his article.
“L.A. has several assets in its coffers that it can aggregate in a potential trade for a star: its 2029 and 2031 first-round picks; young talent on affordable contracts, such as Knecht, Hood-Schifino and Max Christie; and players on midrange contracts, such as D’Angelo Russell (an expiring $18.6 million deal), Rui Hachimura ($17 million), Vincent ($11 million) and Vanderbilt ($10.7 million).”
The Lakers’ need for a center became even more pressing after back-to-back playoff eliminations by the Denver Nuggets, who dominated them with Nikola Jokic’s all-around game. Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP, showcased the kind of versatility and dominance that the Lakers have struggled to match. Having another center to share duties with Davis could allow the Lakers to defend better against players like Jokic and strengthen their frontcourt overall.
A ‘Thin’ Center Rotation
Currently, the Lakers’ center rotation is quite thin. With Christian Wood recovering from surgery and Jaxson Hayes as the only healthy center on the roster, there is a clear void. The Lakers are thin in the middle going into the season with Wood expected to be out for at least eight weeks following left knee surgery, leaving Hayes and two-way player Colin Castleton as the only other healthy centers on the roster. This means Davis will likely have to spend a significant portion of his time at the center position again, a situation he has openly expressed his desire to avoid.
The Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, is reportedly aware of the need for more size in the middle. While the team has not yet made any significant moves, rumors suggest that they could still be looking to add a center before the trade deadline. Head coach J.J. Redick has also acknowledged the need for a big man, signaling that the organization is taking the matter seriously. As the season approaches, the pressure to make a move may only increase, particularly if injuries or poor performance in the paint become apparent.
The Last Word
In conclusion, both Williams and Valanciunas present viable options for the Lakers to pursue. Acquiring a bruising center would not only satisfy Anthony Davis’ request but also provide the team with better interior defense and rebounding. If the Lakers can use their available assets effectively, adding one of these centers could make them stronger contenders in the Western Conference.
