Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis may be switching positions in 2024-25. Davis has primarily played center for the past three seasons, but L.A. has prioritized adding a pivot this summer. Indeed, “regardless of who is coaching Los Angeles next season, the Lakers are monitoring their offseason options at center closely,” per SportsNet New York’s Ian Begley.
Lakers Considering Offseason Position Change For Key Player?
Frankly, the Lakers could just want a big man to spell Davis at center.
To that point, the team’s only true center last season was Jaxson Hayes. Though Hayes performed decently, he played sparingly, averaging 12.5 minutes per game. Furthermore, Hayes can decline his player option for the 2024-25 season and become a free agent this summer. Given his defensive improvements and the way he played when Davis was sidelined by injury, he may see this offseason as an opportunity to earn more than the $2.5 million he’s set to make next season. That being said, he’s also made it clear he desires a starting role. As a result, he may strike while the iron’s hot; half a dozen teams need a starting-caliber center.
However, Davis has had a lot of trouble guarding playoff rival Nikola Jokic mano y mano. If the Lakers ever want to get over the hump with regard to beating the Denver Nuggets, moving Davis back to his natural position could be part of the solution. In addition, though he’s willing to play the five, Davis also has a well-documented preference of playing power forward. Lastly, limiting the amount of time that Davis spends banging around down low should also improve his chances of remaining healthy.
Therefore, the Lakers could be on the lookout for a starting-caliber center. Whether they view Hayes as that player remains to be seen. Nonetheless, L.A. will have several options this offseason.
Big Ten Big Men
In the 2024 NBA Draft, the Lakers will have two picks.
With the No. 17 pick, there’s a good chance that they’ll select a rotation-caliber player. That being said, while many consider this a weak draft, it would be more accurate to describe it as one with a lot of older prospects. Age depreciates a prospect’s value for many scouts and executives as it limits how long they can be under contract and their theoretical ceiling. Summarily, L.A. may could find a draft steal with the No. 55 pick, but they may be an older prospect.
Indiana’s Kel’el Ware and Purdue’s Zach Edey are projected to be available in the late lottery to mid-first round. In Ware, the Lakers would find an inside-outside capable of manning the interior of the defense. In Edey, the Lakers would have a strong low-post scorer whose size is a rim-deterrent at 7-foot-5 and 299 pounds.
Familiar Faces
In free agency, several veteran centers with starting experience will be available.
Their primary target could be Andre Drummond due to his background, familiarity with the organization, and affordability. He’s also coming off the best season he’s had in a couple of years. In 2023-24, the four-time rebounding champion averaged 8.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 17.1 minutes per game (79 games). He also started 10 games, averaging 14.1 points, 17.9 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game in those contests. At 6-foot-11 and 279 pounds, he’s another big man whose girth could make life difficult for Jokic.
Due to how well he played with the Lakers, Thomas Bryant is another option for the Lakers. In 2022-23, Bryant played 41 games before being traded, averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 44.0 percent from 3. Notably, Bryant was traded to the Nuggets, which is another reason L.A. could have interest. With Bryant transforming into something of a double-agent, they could key in on their weaknesses even more.
A Nikola Of Their Own
Multiple teams have put their starting centers on the trade block, including the Chicago Bulls. With D’Angelo Russell under contract through 2024-25, the Lakers could look to use him as a bargaining chip. Due to the Bulls’ needs, he may be a fit there. If the Lakers engage the Bulls in trade talks surrounding Nikola Vucevic, they would likely get him.
Though he’s a lead-footed and offensive-minded center, Vucevic is among the most talented big men in the league. A skilled low-post scorer who can stretch the floor, he raised the team’s ceiling on offense. Indeed, over the past 10 seasons, he averaged 18.6 points and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 34.1 percent from 3. He’s also averaged 10.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game, impacting the paint with his size at 6-foot-10 and 260 pounds.
