The New York Knicks sent shockwaves across the NBA last Friday by trading Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns. While most people look at who won between the two teams, there is a third winner out there. And that is the Los Angeles Lakers. Let’s discuss what the New York Knicks KAT trade means for other teams, mainly, the Lakers.
How the Knicks Helped the Lakers with KAT Trade
Before the New York Knicks KAT Trade, there were three teams with a glaring hole at center. Those were the Knicks, the Pelicans, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, the same Lakers with Anthony Davis, a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Davis has always said that he doesn’t like to play center, and he had his most success with a traditional big alongside him.
Remember when the Lakers won the title in the bubble? Well, Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee played the center spot at the time. With the Knicks out of the market, the Lakers have to bid only against the New Orleans Pelicans for a center they like.
Are the Lakers in the Hunt for a Big Man?
New Lakers head coach J.J. Redick and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka recently had a press conference, at which Redick addressed the lack of depth behind Anthony Davis. He said:
“I think we have not only one of the best players in the world but one of the most unique players in the world in Anthony Davis because there are very few people that can do the things he can do at his size in terms of his ball handling, his skill level offensively and certainly the fact that he’s one of the best defensive players in the world”
The new Los Angeles Lakers head coach said that he doesn’t view players like Nikola Jokic as traditional centers, and said the modern NBA is different.
Speaking about the center position if Davis has to miss time, Redick said:
“Well, that’s where you have a package for the different lineups. That goes back to organization. We’re not going to ask Jaxson Hayes or Christian Wood, when he’s healthy, to play the same way that Anthony Davis does. So, we’ll manage.”
Who Can the Lakers Use at Center?
The Lakers lost to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the two past postseason. He seems to be their biggest nemesis, but they also have a losing record against the Sacramento Kings and Domantas Sabonis.
The only real backup center that the Lakers have under contract is Jaxson Hayes. He can provide energy, but he is lean and lanky. Hayes has no chance to deny bigger centers down low. Last year, they tried using Christian Wood at center, but he didn’t produce consistently to warrant a standard position.
Can the Lakers Swing a Trade for a Big Man?
Following the press conference last week, the Lakers privately clarified to Bleacher Report that they recognize adding a center with more girth is a priority. Until then, they will do with what they have.
Now, how can they swing a trade? Well, there are plenty of big men possibly on the market, including Walker Kessler, Jakob Poeltl, Robert Williams III, Jarrett Allen, and Deandre Ayton. We can also mention Jonas Valanciunas, a player LeBron James was willing to take a pay cut for. Notably, Jonas cannot be traded until December 15th. As Rob Pelinka continues to say, the team is willing to part with their future picks, if and when the right player becomes available.
Can the Pelicans Outbid the Lakers?
Here is a fun fact, before the Pelicans traded for Dejounte Murray, they owned the Lakers 2025 pick. But that pick is now headed to the Atlanta Hawks. The Lakers’ best trade assets are players Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, as well as their 2029 and 2031 first-round picks.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, can dangle Brandon Ingram (limited trade market), but also sweeteners like Jordan Hawkins. They own all but one of their picks between 2025 and 2031. They can include up to five first-round picks in a trade before they have to make swaps.
