The Los Angeles Lakers can go down one of a few avenues when it comes to upgrading their roster this offseason. One of those pathways involves upgrading at the center position and allowing Anthony Davis to play a significant amount of time at power forward.
After all, he did just that during their championship season four years ago, which allowed him to roam around as something of a free safety and disrupt opposing offenses. After they got swept by the Denver Nuggets in last year’s Western Conference finals and lost to Denver again in the first round of this year’s playoffs, many felt they needed a strong-bodied 5.
In an interview with Lakers Nation, guard Austin Reaves, like new head coach JJ Redick, said the Lakers aren’t far off from being a championship contender. He then said a serviceable, physical center would make a significant difference.
Via Lakers Nation:
“There’s obviously room for improvement,” he said. “I think that one thing I personally thought we could’ve had was a more physical 5, especially when you run into someone like [Nikola] Jokic. You ask AD to do so much on the offensive and defensive end and he’s capable, but if you’re able to give him a little bit of a break guarding like a Jokic so he can be more focused in helpside defense and making it tougher when Jokic makes his first move, just seeing AD on the back line. That’s tough to score over because he’s such a good defender and then he can worry more about the offensive end.
“Regardless, he had a hell of a series either way. But that’s just the first thing that comes to my mind, obviously there’s pieces here and there. But like I said, I don’t think we’re too far off.”
Davis had arguably the best year of his basketball life this season. But the NBA now possesses several good and great centers, including Jokic, Joel Embiid, Domantas Sabonis, Kristaps Porziņģis and Victor Wembanyama.
Winning in the playoffs often comes down to matchups, and adding a defensive-minded 5 who is also mobile and can run the floor would help. However, the Lakers have limited assets to use when it comes to upgrading their roster, and it looks like they would also love to secure a difference-making upgrade in the backcourt.