Another Lakers season in the books, another offseason kicking off with more questions than answers, and that familiar, almost deafening, buzz of “what now?” hanging heavy over LA. After a disappointing first-round playoff exit, the hunt is on to retool around their stars. One key area of concern? The center position, especially with Jaxson Hayes’ future in purple and gold looking pretty murky.
Hayes, who was the Lakers’ only legitimate center on the roster after that blockbuster Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic trade, might be bouncing, according to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints. Word is, Hayes, now an unrestricted free agent, “wasn’t thrilled about his role disappearing in the postseason and the money he lost as his minutes dwindled.”
So, what kind of a center are they looking for? Lakers president Rob Pelinka laid it out. He said it’d be “great to have a center that was a vertical threat, a lob threat, and someone who can protect the interior defensively.” He also mentioned being open to “spread centers that can protect the rim.” Translation: they need an athletic big who can finish and defend, but they’re keeping their options open. The problem? The Lakers aren’t exactly swimming in cash to go sign an All-Star center.
It looks like the trade route is their most likely path, which probably means dangling rookie Dalton Knecht, their 2031 first-round pick, and a bunch of expiring contracts as salary filler. And yeah, a fan favorite like Austin Reaves might have to be part of that package too. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton even threw out Myles Turner’s name as a “clear fit,” but that would likely require a complicated sign-and-trade and cost a pretty penny.
But here’s where the offseason plot thickens. While the center spot is a clear need, a new name has suddenly emerged as a prime target for the Lakers, and it’s not a big man. According to a tweet from NBA Central, citing Bovada odds, the Lakers are the current favorites to land guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker if he decides not to re-sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The odds have the Lakers at +235, ahead of teams like the Brooklyn Nets (+290), Golden State Warriors (+425), Miami Heat (+525), and Toronto Raptors (+900). Now that is an interesting development.
(This is a developing story…)
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