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The Los Angeles Lakers have had a rather successful first two days of free agency.
They accomplished their main objective of keeping as much of their core intact as possible. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell agreed to stay on new contracts. Even better, the Lakers did not overpay for any of the three.
They also went out and signed forwards Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish, as well as guard Gabe Vincent. All three have the potential to give the team some additional 3-point shooting and perimeter defense.
Amidst these moves, the center position is looking rather weak. Los Angeles got Jaxson Hayes, a young, athletic and energetic 6-foot-11 man, to agree to a two-year deal, but he’s a rather underwhelming player who will, in all likelihood, come off the bench and play no more than 15-20 minutes a game.
As a result, the team wants to get one more center to fill one of its two remaining roster spots (h/t Lakers Nation).
Austin Reaves’ pact gives the Lakers 13 players under contract for next season.
The Lakers are still in the market for another big man and will likely carry 14 players into the season, leaving a roster spot open to facilitate a deal or a pickup down the line, sources told ESPN
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 1, 2023
The Lakers recently waived Mo Bamba, a 7-footer with shot-blocking and 3-point shooting skills, in order to free up their entire non-taxpayer midlevel exception, which they used on Vincent. Bamba remains an option for that roster spot, as does Tristan Thompson, a veteran big man they signed near the end of the 2022-23 regular season.
Via The Athletic:
“L.A. is targeting another big man with its 14th roster spot, according to team sources. They are likely to carry 14 guaranteed contracts into the season, leaving one roster spot open. Mo Bamba, whom the Lakers waived on Thursday, and Tristan Thompson, who joined the team right before their playoff run, remain options to fill that 14th spot, according to league sources. The big man market has been dry so far during this free-agency period, so the Lakers could also wait to see if better options present themselves.”
The Lakers could use a center with legitimate size and girth who can play solid defense on Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis and Joel Embiid. Thompson may be able to do some of that, but he’s just 6-foot-9. Bamba’s ability to hit from the outside could open the floor for LeBron James, Anthony Davis and others.