Better late than never I guess. Just wish they gave the guy they call their franchise player the center help he’s wanted for years now.
nottherealstanlee
Maybe, but it’s almost more important to have a true 5 for depth behind AD because when he left the game our entire defensive strategy just flew out the window. I’d like to see a system in place where maybe our bench big is at least somewhat similar in terms of just how we defend.
Of course if you can find a 5 that can shoot and also be really active, then sure you can play him with AD. Wood in some ways was successful early with that type of strategy, but when his three wasn’t falling Wood just wouldn’t contribute in other ways consistently.
But AD is really a 5 in today’s NBA and where his body is at physically. Going back to 4 on a permanent basis is a lost cause imo
Fit-Ad-6748
Let’s go Zach Edey!
Just-Faithlessness12
Please go get Jarrett Allen.
Awesomefan09
Yes, the Lakers need a traditional center. However, moving AD to power forward would force LeBron to small forward which is not great. I suspect this is more a regular season, non-LeBron minutes thing.
This could reduce AD’s wear and tear and shorten LeBron’s minutes in the regular season. This absolutely should happen especially with both playing in the Olympics. Whoever that center is will absolutely get his minutes cut in the playoffs and has to know that’s the plan. Can’t be promising guys like Drummond a starting role just so they’ll sign.
AdorableBackground83
Finally did the right thing.
Go back to what made them great in 2020.
BEEF!!!! We needed it against Jokic.
MapleTr0n
For those curious and looking at draft prospects here is a list of potential centers and/or 4s that could slot up in the 17 range
This is just wow… I am shocked I can’t believe they realized it’s a good idea 🤯
Confident_Pen_919
We shoulda pulled the trigger on Myles Turner way back when
zz77x
Wow they finally woke up. Who would’ve figured this out after the 2020 championship.
Wise_Ad_112
Can someone please trade a good starting center to us. Cmon rob get go get someone for ad lol
blacPanther55
AD is the center. You only need a situational center.
Prime-robertsacre
Clint capela welcome to the lakers
Kobe_stan_
The issue we have is that it’s not 2020 anymore.
With a traditional center that can’t space the floor, on offense, the paint will be packed, because AD can’t shoot from the outside like he did in 2020. That means that Lebron is facing his guy, plus AD’s guy and our center’s guy in the paint when he drives in there. Defensively, even with a floor spacing center, having a center moves Lebron to the 3 which is bad for him given his age. He can’t/won’t be chasing a 3 around on defense which means that there’s going to be a lot of wide open shots for the other team.
We can play a center with Lebron and AD but I think those minutes will be pretty limited. It won’t be like in 2020. So as a result, how much do you want to spend in draft capital or of our total salary cap on a guy that will play limited minutes with our two best players?
Le8ronJames
A year late but ok
guyfromthepicture
This isn’t the his idea this sub thinks it is. Fit matters. We definitely need a big but it’s not wise to find one talented enough to command playing time. Limited resources should be spent elsewhere.
ImSaudi
it’s been 4 years since Lakers had a true 5 alongside AD. it’s rare to find a role player who’s dominant rim protector and can make a threat offensively.
Myles Turner is the good and versatile option but with 20m, 2yrs contract. Jarret Allen an elite rim protector but limited offensive abilities (similar contract to Myles). in the other hand Nicolas Claxton became a free agent, the good ^possible option for laker’s salary cap situation.
2024 draft has multiple variant centers. still i cannot judge
MaryandMe1
2 yrs later. X_X
Benotheking
Trade for Trae and put him at center or draft Eddy. I see no other options.
Odd-Direction9452
As far as true center options in the draft I really like Yves Missi if we stick at 17. True vertical spacer and high motor player who would be an immediate pick and roll threat.
Holmes would be ideal but I don’t expect him to be there.
hottakehotcakes
I think Edey would be a nice get at 17. He can do an AD impression when AD is out, which allows for more rest. He also has allstar upside.
evol_won
YYYESSS!!!!
xreddawgx
Isn’t Hayes signed on for another year?
justredditting1010
To play 15 mins a night. This might be the 3rd biggest need
neymarolga
SIGN DWIGHT!! Give him the minimum. If it doesn’t work out then oh well
davea5
Bout fkn time
PolarRegs
Acquire that center with what assets? This rookie class is uninspiring.
Even-Brain-3973
Thank you for giving your best player something he’s been asking for since he got here.
nemesis1313
Right direction
lolxddavid
There are some very interesting draft options that slots next to AD perfectly due to their 3 point shooting. Mainly Holmes and Ware however they both have their concerns as well. For example Holmes would be a small ball center with AD still bigger than him which doesn’t solve our big physical center need. Ware is bigger but there’s the concerns about his motor. His floor is Mo Bamba with the motor concern. Does he even like basketball is the question.
barath_s
Finally
mamba_4L
Any way we could get Nic Claxton?
Miserable-Lawyer-233
I don’t think so. They don’t need a traditional big man. They shouldn’t want a traditional big man. That would be moving backwards. They want to be faster and higher scoring, not slower and lower scoring. Certainly if JJ is head coach he’s not going to want to add a traditional big man. LeBron also obviously has no interest in a traditional big man.
35 Comments
Better late than never I guess. Just wish they gave the guy they call their franchise player the center help he’s wanted for years now.
Maybe, but it’s almost more important to have a true 5 for depth behind AD because when he left the game our entire defensive strategy just flew out the window. I’d like to see a system in place where maybe our bench big is at least somewhat similar in terms of just how we defend.
Of course if you can find a 5 that can shoot and also be really active, then sure you can play him with AD. Wood in some ways was successful early with that type of strategy, but when his three wasn’t falling Wood just wouldn’t contribute in other ways consistently.
But AD is really a 5 in today’s NBA and where his body is at physically. Going back to 4 on a permanent basis is a lost cause imo
Let’s go Zach Edey!
Please go get Jarrett Allen.
Yes, the Lakers need a traditional center. However, moving AD to power forward would force LeBron to small forward which is not great. I suspect this is more a regular season, non-LeBron minutes thing.
This could reduce AD’s wear and tear and shorten LeBron’s minutes in the regular season. This absolutely should happen especially with both playing in the Olympics. Whoever that center is will absolutely get his minutes cut in the playoffs and has to know that’s the plan. Can’t be promising guys like Drummond a starting role just so they’ll sign.
Finally did the right thing.
Go back to what made them great in 2020.
BEEF!!!! We needed it against Jokic.
For those curious and looking at draft prospects here is a list of potential centers and/or 4s that could slot up in the 17 range
– DaRon Holmes
– Kyle Filipowski
– Ke’lel Ware
– Zach Edey
– Yves Missi
Edey incoming
This is just wow… I am shocked I can’t believe they realized it’s a good idea 🤯
We shoulda pulled the trigger on Myles Turner way back when
Wow they finally woke up. Who would’ve figured this out after the 2020 championship.
Can someone please trade a good starting center to us. Cmon rob get go get someone for ad lol
AD is the center. You only need a situational center.
Clint capela welcome to the lakers
The issue we have is that it’s not 2020 anymore.
With a traditional center that can’t space the floor, on offense, the paint will be packed, because AD can’t shoot from the outside like he did in 2020. That means that Lebron is facing his guy, plus AD’s guy and our center’s guy in the paint when he drives in there. Defensively, even with a floor spacing center, having a center moves Lebron to the 3 which is bad for him given his age. He can’t/won’t be chasing a 3 around on defense which means that there’s going to be a lot of wide open shots for the other team.
We can play a center with Lebron and AD but I think those minutes will be pretty limited. It won’t be like in 2020. So as a result, how much do you want to spend in draft capital or of our total salary cap on a guy that will play limited minutes with our two best players?
A year late but ok
This isn’t the his idea this sub thinks it is. Fit matters. We definitely need a big but it’s not wise to find one talented enough to command playing time. Limited resources should be spent elsewhere.
it’s been 4 years since Lakers had a true 5 alongside AD. it’s rare to find a role player who’s dominant rim protector and can make a threat offensively.
Myles Turner is the good and versatile option but with 20m, 2yrs contract. Jarret Allen an elite rim protector but limited offensive abilities (similar contract to Myles). in the other hand Nicolas Claxton became a free agent, the good ^possible option for laker’s salary cap situation.
2024 draft has multiple variant centers. still i cannot judge
2 yrs later. X_X
Trade for Trae and put him at center or draft Eddy. I see no other options.
As far as true center options in the draft I really like Yves Missi if we stick at 17. True vertical spacer and high motor player who would be an immediate pick and roll threat.
Holmes would be ideal but I don’t expect him to be there.
I think Edey would be a nice get at 17. He can do an AD impression when AD is out, which allows for more rest. He also has allstar upside.
YYYESSS!!!!
Isn’t Hayes signed on for another year?
To play 15 mins a night. This might be the 3rd biggest need
SIGN DWIGHT!! Give him the minimum. If it doesn’t work out then oh well
Bout fkn time
Acquire that center with what assets? This rookie class is uninspiring.
Thank you for giving your best player something he’s been asking for since he got here.
Right direction
There are some very interesting draft options that slots next to AD perfectly due to their 3 point shooting. Mainly Holmes and Ware however they both have their concerns as well. For example Holmes would be a small ball center with AD still bigger than him which doesn’t solve our big physical center need. Ware is bigger but there’s the concerns about his motor. His floor is Mo Bamba with the motor concern. Does he even like basketball is the question.
Finally
Any way we could get Nic Claxton?
I don’t think so. They don’t need a traditional big man. They shouldn’t want a traditional big man. That would be moving backwards. They want to be faster and higher scoring, not slower and lower scoring. Certainly if JJ is head coach he’s not going to want to add a traditional big man. LeBron also obviously has no interest in a traditional big man.
Just start wood at the 5 it ain’t that hard