Los Angeles Lakers Exploring Center Addition: 4 Possible Solutions
By Andrew Buller-Russ,
7 hours ago
Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers tip their season off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in less than two weeks. But before they do so, the Lakers could be making a fairly sizable roster move.
Shams Charania’s latest Lakers rumors suggest the team is looking to add another center to the roster before the Oct. 22 regular season opener . Christian Wood recently had knee surgery and is still sidelined, Christian Koloko is still waiting to be cleared from experiencing blood clots in his lungs, which only leaves Jaxson Hayes on the roster.
With the Lakers light on bigs, let’s look at four possible center upgrades via trade and free agency.
It depends on what the Lakers are looking for. If they want a player who can bring more physicality and rim protection to the paint, they might not find a better solution than Bismack Biyombo.
At 6-foot-8, he doesn’t have ideal size, and he adds practically nothing offensively, but he’s always good for a block or two per game. He averages 1.3 BPG in his career despite averaging just 19.5 minutes per game. Yet, considering the Lakers wouldn’t have to part with any precious trade compensation and could just sign the 13-year-pro, Biyombo wouldn’t be a bad trial option.
One player who could develop into a long-term fit in Los Angeles is Isaiah Stewart. The 16th overall pick in 2020 has seemingly fallen out of favor for a Detroit Pistons team that wants to be competitive but has finished with the NBA’s worst record in each of the past two seasons.
With Stewart stuck behind starter Jalen Duren, it’s possible he could be had for the right price. However, Stewart did sign a four-year, $60 million contract with Detroit last July, so maybe he is still in their long-term plans. Yet, that doesn’t mean an offer too good to refuse couldn’t pry him away.
He’s like Biyombo in that he’s undersized at 6-foot-8, but he’s a much better low-post scoring presence who’s even capable of stretching the floor as a 3-point shooter too. Yet, he doesn’t provide nearly the same amount of rim protection.
Trading for Stewart likely costs the Lakers at least a first-round pick, plus matching the outgoing salary, so someone like D’Angelo Russell or a package of Gabe Vincent plus Christian Wood could help satisfy NBA trade rules.
Lakers could turn to the ‘Time Lord’ Robert Williams
Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
It may seem like taboo for the Lakers to acquire a former Boston Celtics starter, but Robert Williams is a bit out of place in Portland. He really only landed with the Blazers because the Celtics wanted to acquire Jrue Holiday after he suddenly became available, thanks to the Bucks wanting Damian Lillard instead.
But the “Time Lord” has only played six games in a Blazers uniform since being traded after dealing with injuries last season. When healthy, he’s proven to be an above-average center who’s capable of scoring, rebounding, and defending. The latter two he does at an elite level.
Unlike Stewart, Williams won’t help the Lakers score past the painted area, but he’s an excellent low post presence who can immediately improve JJ Redick’s defense. Owed roughly $24 million over the next two seasons, Williams likely doesn’t have a future in Portland while being stuck behind first-round rookie Donovan Clingan and former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton.
The biggest (literally) trade target on this list, Walker Kessler is a true seven-footer. Still just 23 years old, Kessler was one of the focal points of the trade that sent Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolves. Minnesota selected him 22nd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, but shipped him to Utah before he had even played in his first game.
Kessler’s averaged 23.2 minutes per game in Utah, but for whatever reason, he’s been unable to secure a full-time starting role. To be fair, the Jazz do have Lauri Markkanen and John Collins, but Kessler deserves a chance to see if he can provide even more production if given a bigger role.
No matter what, he’s already one of the best rim protectors in the NBA, averaging 2.4 blocks per game in his two-year career. Last year he averaged the second-most blocks per game, and as a rookie, he ranked ninth in total rebound rate, showing he’s much more than just a paint protector.
Yet, while Kessler is an excellent shot-blocker and rebounder, he may never develop much of a jump shot. Sixty-eight percent of his shots came at the rim last season, and another 26% came within 10 feet. But being that he’s so good at his strengths, the Lakers shouldn’t be afraid to take a chance to see if they can help him develop more range after Kessler attempted 19 3-point shots last season.
But getting the former first-round pick would require at least one first-round pick, possibly two. So, once again, it all depends on what the Lakers are searching for while seeking a center upgrade, but it’s clear there are several different options available, if they’re willing to pay the price.
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