It is no secret where the holes on this Lakers’ team are. While the argument could be made there are holes everywhere — this team won 17 games last year! — the presence of multiple young players who hope to improve mean there are really only a few positions (and roles) of true need.
One of those positions — and probably the highest priority one — is Center. Roy Hibbert is an unrestricted free agent and, in all likelihood, will not be brought back. Brandon Bass, who played backup C for most of the year, declined his player option and is now a free agent. Tarik Black and Robert Sacre are restricted free agents and it is not yet clear if the Lakers will tender them qualifying offers, giving the team the ability to match FA offers.
The Lakers did draft Ivica Zubac in the 2nd round of the draft and there are reports he will come over from Europe this season to play in the NBA. But even if Zubac makes the team, he’s only 19 years old and could not be relied upon to be the team’s starter in the pivot. He would would also be the only Center the Lakers currently project to have under contract for next year. So, yeah, finding a rotation level big man (and ideally a high functioning starter) is important.
The good news for the Lakrs is that the list of big men options in free agency is relatively deep. The bad news is that teams always — ALWAYS — have to overpay for size in free agency. As much as we glorify the shift towards small ball in the modern NBA, being taller than nearly everyone else is still seen as an advantage when the goal is to score and stop your opponent from putting a ball into a fixed rim 10 feet high off the ground.
Below, then, is my list of five free agent big men I would recommend the Lakers target. This list is not definitive and I will offer a few other names after it, but these guys would be my priority. I would call them all at 9:01pm Pacific time on June 30th (aka 12:01am July 1st) to express my interest if I could:
- Al Horford
- Hassan Whiteside
- Bismack Biyombo
- Joakim Noah
- Festus Ezeli
Let’s quickly go one by one with these guys:
*Horford’s only detraction is his age. The big man just turned 30 years old and next season will be his 10th season. There are some durability concerns as well, but in three of the last four years he’s played at least 74 games (including all 82 last season) so I think those concerns are overstated some. Some will also point to his dipping production, but he still had a PER of 19.4 this past season, making it his 7th straight season boasting a number over 19.
As for his game, his skill set really is a perfect fit. Offensively he can stretch the floor out to the three point line (he hit 34.4% of his 3’s last year on over 200 attempts), is an excellent mid-range shooter, and can still score inside. He’s also an above average passer and can still rebound well enough. Defensively he’s not a great shot blocker, but he can protect the rim, can play out on the floor in the P&R, and is super smart about positioning, angles, and how to operate within the construct of the team’s scheme.
He also offers a good locker room presence, is of high character, and would be an asset in future free agency pursuits. There’s little to not like here. Yes, he’ll be expensive. But as I said above, most big men are. I also think his game will age well.
*We covered Whiteside in this space already, so I will keep this short. There’s probably no player with a higher upside available in free agency this year. The Lakers should be interested in him. I’d be lying if I said signing him wouldn’t bring at least a few bouts of nervousness with it. But I would be on board…I think…yes, I would. I think.
*Biyombo is young, has good enough size, tremendous length, and looks to be finally coming into his own as a player after a few years of looking like a disappointment compared to his draft slot. He came on strong in the playoffs for the Raptors as a step-in starter when Jonas Valanciunas got injured and more than held his own as a defense first paint presence who got all his buckets on lobs, put-backs, and drop-off passes when defenses helped on dribble penetration.
It’s difficult to project how much he can still improve offensively. I don’t ever see him developing a reliable 15-18 foot jumper and while he can become an adequate passer, no one will ever mistake him for Pau Gasol. However, he should only continue to improve as a dive man who can finish above the rim in the P&R and he has good enough hands to be a viable target as a slasher and cutter when teams help on on the ball side.
Defensively he has shown he can protect the rim and can hedge on the P&R and slide with ball-handlers enough to not be a minus if forced to switch or stay in the action for longer than designed should the guard string out his dribble. He also showed he was competitive and could raise his level of play in high stakes games. That was a small sample, but I am comfortable projecting out that he can play well over a longer stretch in an expanded role.
*Noah is a player I love more than I should considering his profile. Noah will be 32 in February, is coming off two injury filled seasons (last year he only played in 29 games after suffering a shoulder injury), and has played a lot of minutes after spending the majority of his career as one of Tom Thibodeau’s workhorses.
Noah’s offensive game has also fallen off a cliff as he’s struggled to score in the paint consistently or efficiently and was never really a jumpshooting threat to begin with.
Noah remains a fantastic screener and passer, however. And while his turnover rate was up last season, I trust him at the top of the floor making the types of reads the Warriors have asked Andrew Bogut to make under Steve Kerr. If Noah can find ways to increase his scoring efficiency when playing off the Lakers’ guards and wings, there is hope he could be a net neutral on that end.
Defensively it remains to be seen how much Noah has left to offer, but his on/off numbers from last season, though in a limited sample, suggest he’s still an impact defender. In the past seasons he combined a high motor and extreme defensive IQ to be one of the most important defenders in the league. Can he still resemble that player? I think he can, but I understand if some disagree.
I also firmly believe his leadership and competitiveness would be a real asset for a young team like the Lakers. It’s mostly for these reasons and his defensive potential that he makes my list.
*Festus Ezeli had nearly as bad a conclusion to his season as Harrison Barnes did. Near the end of the Finals vs. the Cavs, Ezeli was clearly a net negative on both sides of the floor. He couldn’t effectively defend the P&R by either hedging or switching. He also couldn’t finish well offensively in the P&R, was stymied in the post, showed shockingly bad hands in compared to where he was earlier in the season, and became a target of “hack-a” fouls that saw him brick FT’s.
So, why is he on my list? Well, he’s not nearly as bad as he showed against Cleveland, he’s still young, he offers very good size, and he has institutional knowledge from his time with the Warriors which should aid in the transition to Luke Walton as the new coach.
At his best, Ezeli does nearly everything the Lakers will want in their Center. He’s a threat in the P&R, he’s a capable (if robotic) post scorer, he can slide his feet defensively in the P&R (go back and watch the Portland series tape from these playoffs), he can protect the rim, and, by all accounts, is a good locker room guy.
Does his Finals performance concern me? Yes. If he’d played well in the Finals, he’d be higher on my list. But I’ve seen enough of him throughout the past two years to think he’s a viable starting C in the league. If there’s another concern about him it’s his RFA status, but that’s a different conversation. In terms of fit, he’s pretty good and, realistically, should be higher than Noah.
—
Some other names to consider: Ian Mahinmi (UFA), Tyler Zeller (RFA), Miles Plumlee (RFA), Jordan Hill (we know him well), Brandon Bass (ditto), Zaza Pachulia (UFA). Any of these guys fit in their own way and I could be talked into any of them. If pairing this list down, the two who I might like best are Mahinmi and Bass.
Mahinmi did really good work for the Pacers this season. He has good size and has improved in nearly every facet of the game in recent seasons. He’s probably a bottom half of the league starter, but he’s quite useful and would help this team. Bass is a guy I think the Lakers should continue to keep tabs on, especially if his price is reasonable. The young players raved about him and I think, while undersized, he is still a positive influence in a lot of ways (on the court and off).
But if looking at the market, the above five guys are it and the Lakers should be putting out feelers (strong ones) on all of them. Again, finding a viable starting big man is the most pressing need, the Lakers need to make a move here.
Anonymous says
AL horford probably has 2 more years of prime basketball left
We need a young center who can grow with us
Anonymous says
I disagree, I think he has more than that left.
And I’m still not sold on Whiteside.
Even if Horford only has 2 more prime years left I think that’s better than what Whiteside would bring.
Plus I think the idea of having everyone on the team being the same age and growing up together is overrated.
I would even say I prefer a more staggered team. In the sense that by the time, let’s say Horford, is too old, the young guys have become the veterans and are ready to take a young center under their wing.
And when they’re too old, the young center would take over that mantle.
That way you lessen the likelihood of having a team where everyone leaves and there’s no one to take over and carry on.
sam says
I think anonymous and I have disagreed on this before — whiteside is choice 1a and horford 1b for me –YES, I would roll the dice on whiteside’s upside BUT — I think horford has more than 2 years left AND as importantly he could be the kind of veteran leader as part of the starting lineup that the lakers sorely need — and a good leader off the court as well
Also, I think it would help the growth of the young players to actually win more games next year and play in more closer games where the 4th quarter matters and I think horford is the most likely of the group to make that happen next year beyond the number of additional wins that will come from growth of randle, Russell, Clarkson, addition of ingram, addition of Walton and subtraction of scott
I
Vince W says
Given the overall lack of talent currently on this roster, any of Darius’ top 5 options would be great additions to our core. However, with the exception of Horford, each of the other top 5 available center options lacks an outside shot. Unless Randle has developed a 3 pointer this summer, I worry about the spacing in Luke’s offense with two non-shooters on the floor. Even the Warriors’ offense stalls to some degree when they play two non-shooters (such as Bogut and Livingston) against a good defense.
This may be a minor concern for a team not currently expected to contend for a championship, but in the long term, I think this illustrates the importance of either Randle developing a 3 pointer or finding a power forward who can. Randle does a lot of other things well (such as pushing the ball in transition off a rebound), but unless we find a center who can space the floor, switch on a pick and roll, and protect the rim (Karl Anthony Towns), his lack of floor spacing will limit the offense.
Assuming the Lakers sign any of these centers besides Horford, should we be looking a power forward who could space the floor to pair with him (such as Marvin Williams or Harrison Barnes)?
mikeinchitown says
i think if you had to rejuggle darius’ board factoring in fit/likelihood, here are my thoughts:
i love everything about horford except his age and max $. his max dollars are higher (~$25mm/yr) than whiteside’s further, he is likely to look for a contender so either stay with ATL or ??? GS would be scarier with horford, though they don’t seem as high on him. so the combination of all of the above suggests horford should rank lower on the lakers board -#3
i think whiteside #1 given age/mileage, dollars, and his free agent-ness (he seems the most open to most destinations; not limiting meetings etc). further, MIA seems ill-equipped to keep him given their cap situation. if riley starts the pitch with, “take one for the team”, i think he is likely headed for LAL/DAL/GS.
biyombo #2a. his tools fit well, salary lower, what’s not to like? obviously a lesser talent, but cheaper too, so good value. strong whiteside consolation prize.
noah should be a non-starter given his age/injury history. but sounds like wiz and others are already planning to make a max (~$28mm?) run at him, which seems crazy. plus, it seems likely that rose will pitch him to join him in NY so the likelihood for lakers seem very very low.
ezeli. this is all luke’s call and a complete wildcard. injuries, spotty performance is worrisome so luke better know something if lakers pursue. from my perspective, #2b option.
mahinmi should be boobie prize #2c. but IND have bird rights and well liked there, he prob doesnt leave?
* something to think about- older Cs generally don’t seem to fare well- most recently marc gasol hence my worries around age.
Robbo says
Whiteside and sign a couple of vets to show our young core the way
MTC says
It would be great to get either Horford or Whiteside. Either one would fill the hole at the five in a big way. I think the drop from there leaves a lot to be desired. The question I keep asking myself is: will MIA or ATL let these guys out of their hands? I think there is a chance in both cases but it doesn’t feel like a big one to me.
BigCitySid says
-Love that the Lakers are making Whiteside their #1 priority and not wasting time like some other teams NOT named Thunder, Spurs, Warriors or Celts on Durant.
– Whiteside hasn’t made big NBA $$’s yet, and Mitch will offer him the max while reminding him that regardless of all the talent that has worn the purple & gold, the Lakers have NEVER won a title w/o All-Star talent at the five (Mikan, Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, Gasol, & even Bynum).
– Think it’s gonna happen. Really like our chances
Rico says
1. Whiteside – is defensive specialist, killer rebounder and a shot blocking machine.
2. Hoford – has 3 good years left , excellent veteran leader, can shoot the Jay, body up, and shoot the three.
3. Bismack Biyombo
4. Joakim Noah
5. Zaza Pacchulia
6. Tarik Black
No,on Azeli , disappear totally the playoffs. Same thing with Barnes.
Barnes at best is a 5th scoring option, not even close to max money. He doesn’t not have i,am,going to put the team,on my back or even so,say i,am,going to be a game changer.
John Citizen says
Both Horford and Whiteside are risky for me, injury prone tweener and an immature guy with a lot of money in LA. I feel Biyombo is a safer cheaper bet.
Clay Bertrand says
Darius, Nice Timing with this Post! The Natives were starting to get SAUCY on the options at C.
Although I may have Whiteside ranked above Horford based on upside, the ranking is pretty well reasoned except there is no mention of Ezeli’s injury history. The types of knee injuries he has had and have sidelined him for significant time in his still young career. Further, they are of the type that don’t bode well for the future health of a guy pushing 7 feet and 270.
Ezeli’s injury history, his Restricted Status, and his ineffectiveness late in the playoffs push him further down the list for me. I know Luke is a first time HC but I hope we don’t overpay for Barnes/Ezeli just on the notion that these guys know the way he wants to play already.
The concept of 2 decent guys playing the C spot along with Zubac may be our most realistic and practical option. Mahinmi and Bass (as suggested) or Biyombo and Bass or Biyombo and Jefferson (for scoring off the bench and a Post playing C) or some combination of these guys to go with Black and Zubac would be a VERY versatile position group at the 5. Bass, Biyombo, and Mahimi all are able to play the PNR well on D, function in a higher tempo game, and switch to the 4 spot w Zubac at the 5 for a more traditional line up when called for.
Bass, Mahinmi, Black and Zubac could cost very roughly about what it would to max Whiteside with Black and Zubac being at the bottom end of the salary scale. Though not sexy, this group would provide flexibility and check a lot of boxes for what the Lakers need both postionally and chemistry wise. It would be combining mid levelish Veteran players who are productive with their very young other 5s (Black and Zubac).
Clay Bertrand says
My post is in MOD.
No mention of Ezeli’s Injury history??? (concerning IMO).
Does anyone really believe Al Horford will choose to come to the Lakers?? I give them ZERO chance at getting him. Hawks, Heat, Celtics, Dallas, Golden State…….he is NOT coming to L.A. Unrealistic to think of Noah and Horford as options IMO.
R says
A number of options out there that will be a gigantic upgrade over last years catastrophe. Here’s to a team going forward that is at least watchable, frankly.
R says
As far as who might be inclined to come vs who might not, I would hope and expect that any GM worthy of the name has their sources and has a feel for that sort of thing.
Buck Foston says
Biyombo is 4 years younger than Whiteside. So at 23, he still has a lot of room to develop and fits with ages of the current young core more closely than Whiteside. If Whiteside chooses another team, Biyombo might be the better long-term fit any way, but only if we miss out on Count Blockula.
Chibi says
Plumlee played well for the uptempo Suns before being traded to the downtempo Bucks.
Clay Bertrand says
BUCK is BACCCKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!
Good point about Biyombo.
Chibi,
Plumlee has been moved a few times I think for whatever reason (Didn’t he play for Brooklyn too??) I think he has a fairly limited game but he IS a very good PnR dive man. I believe his stats would have been ELITE this year if adjusted per 40 min. He played limited minutes for the Bucks this season.
Serg says
What about Meyers Lenard from Portland??? He’s 7’1 center who can stretch the floor & rebounds & runs the floor well.. He is also an above average passer.
Robert says
BCS: “NOT named Thunder, Spurs, Warriors or Celts” OK – so Presti, Pop/Buford, and West. I get it. However – how did Danny Ainge outsmart us and end up on this list?
R: “Here’s to a team going forward that is at least watchable, frankly”: Yes – however the key is how we become watchable. We need to be making progress towards contention and banners. Otherwise we will end up being the “6th” best team in the league, which is where the nightmare began.
R says
Robert, fair enough; I would consider “watchable” to be an acceptable waystation on the journey to contention and perhaps even greater glory.
alan says
i’m still not sure why any desirable free agent would sign with the lakers at least until next year to see if our kids are any good. certainly anyone wanting a ring or even a shot would not consider the lakers. what’s makes you think we can sign anybody?
Warren Wee Lim says
My advocacy has been to sign:
Hassan Whiteside – 23.5M
Evan Turner – 12.0M
Marvin Williams – 12.0M
Jordan Clarkson – 12.0M
Make RFA offer to Allen Crabbe – 14.0M
Somehow an interesting idea, is instead of choosing between Whiteside and Horford, what if we can sign BOTH Whiteside and Horford? Al has always been quoted as saying he wants to play PF, who better to pair this good positional defender than w/ an off-ball shotblocker like Whiteside? That would give us a very formidable frontcourt.
The problem w/ the proposal is the cap space left, but that’s something you worry about less and less if you’ve hit your targets 1A and 1B.
Robert says
R: Yes – I like the way you are thinking. I am hoping we do not have another period of “fun” on the way into an abyss. The last such period’s high water mark was Steve Blake’s infamous 3 point shot over Dwight Howard. We are going to get better. People are going to like Luke
more than our last 3 coaches. But that is not the point. The point is to win. Which by the way is the best way to have “fun”
Alan “certainly anyone wanting a ring or even a shot would not consider the lakers.” True – but wow – it hurts to read stuff like that. I am spoiled, entitled Laker fan and have been for decades. We win because we are the Lakers. How did we get here?
DB says
” I would call them all at 9:01pm Pacific time on July 1st to express my interest if I could:”
Don’t you mean June 30? Why would you wait 24 hours later from when teams can legitimately already speak to them?
Anonymous says
I 100% agree with you they both are or should be looking for playoff contending teams. With real championship aspirations.
Busboys4me says
Good point Clay
“Bass, Mahinmi, Black and Zubac could cost very roughly about what it would to max Whiteside with Black and Zubac being at the bottom end of the salary scale.”
Since Zubac is already coming and Bass and Black are already here, I would go after Biyombo. He and Bass are the same type players locker room and hustle wise and defensively. Bass may also be able to help him with his jump shot. Plus, the different type players as examples will help Zubac’s growth as a player.
Kareeme says
I was wondering if we take a flyer on Ekpe Udoh. He might be an affordable alternative, especially paired with Biyombo or Mahinmi. I think that these options might offer us the greatest salary flexibility (future trades, affordable contracts) with the lowest risk/reward in banking on one of the two (or three, including Zubac) panning out. We’re a young team so we don’t need to “solve” the center position right now. We need a good mix of potential and production. Save for Al Horford, there is no veteran center available worth the max. And as said ad nauseum, Horford ain’t coming.
Warren Wee Lim says
Wondering what if Whiteside AND Horford would come over? Wonder what that would do for us.
Mid-Wilshire says
“i’m still not sure why any desirable free agent would sign with the lakers at least until next year to see if our kids are any good. certainly anyone wanting a ring or even a shot would not consider the lakers. what’s makes you think we can sign anybody?”
__________________________________________________________________
This is an excellent, if challenging, question. Right now, investing in the Lakers is like buying stock in a start-up that has been running for 2-3 years (which is something I’m familiar with). Why invest in a start up? There are several reasons.
1) You like the concept. The product may not be proven. There may not be many customers. But there is genuine promise. Think of it. The Lakers have 3 lottery picks from the last three drafts (Randle, Russell, and now Ingram) and a 4th, Clarkson, who would be a lottery pick if that draft were to be re-run today. Outside of Minnesota and Philly, there are not many teams that can make that claim.
2) You like the leadership’s track record and direction over the last 2-3 years. Whatever failures the Lakers’ FO may have had in the past, they seem to be making some excellent decisions in recent years (the drafting of the young core — Randle, Clarkson, Russell, Nance, Jr., and Ingram, the removal of Byron Scott, the hiring of Luke Walton, the accumulation of more cap space than any other team in the league, etc.).
3) They seem to have a plan, a direction, a strategy. (Obviously, they have an excellent start on a major youth movement. They have players slotted into 4 of the 5 positions on the team. And they’re still acquiring talent.)
The point is that the time to invest in a start up is early in its history, not late when there is no room left on the band wagon.
Most FAs — at least those in the top two tiers — will be hoping to sign 4 years deals. It’s incumbent on them, then, to project where each team will be in 4 years, not just in years one and 2.
Wayne Gretzky was known for saying that he would always skate to where the puck is going to be. So,,, the question is, where IS the puck going to be, that is, which team will be thriving in 3-4 years: Chicago? Toronto? Portland? New Orleans? New Jersey? Sacramento? Denver? Phoenix? Charlotte? or the Lakers?
If the Lakers can sell the FAs whom they covet on the future (and they do seem to have a future), then they could have an excellent chance at attracting key FAs.
With that, I think the Lakers will go all in after Whiteside. Their chances are not bad. If they don’t land him, then they’ll pursue Biyombo. The Lakers do have a story to tell. And they have a story because they have a future, even if none of us can tell what that future might hold.
That is what makes life interesting.
R says
Free agents seem to have a rather short shelf life; if Whiteside and Biyombo are of interest, why not tender offers to both simultaneously?
(This of course a variation on what Warren Wee Lim suggested just above)
If both offers accepted the team then has three centers of varying expense and promise, and Sacre is gone in yet another case of addition by subtraction.
Drrayeye says
I’d be very pleased with Bass and Biyombo. I’d dream of both Horford and Noah. Gun shy about Whiteside.
This is a good time for patience.
Ray
Apollos says
Maybe everyone knows something I don’t. I do not follow this stuff closely. But why isn’t P. Gasol’s name not on the list. Isn’t he a FA?
A Horse With No Name says
Biyombo is my guy. Against the Cavaliers he kicked Tristan Thompson’s tail and met LeBron’s drives with force, mixing it up and giving no quarter. He’s a bull with tremendous length, good feet, and a motor. A great teammate everywhere he’s been in his young career. He’s a guy poised to take off: all the signs are there. He’s likely very gettable too. If we miss on Whiteside and are fortunate enough to get Bismack, I like the combination of he and Zubac: different types of bigs that can be used against speed and size. In fact, I’d love a center trio of Biyombo, Mozgov and Zubac. All team first guys, a mix of size, youth, talent and veteranism. That would be a big step forward in constructing this roster.
Kevin says
It makes no sense, with the Lakers so far from contention, to spend $120 mil over 4 years on a 30 year old Horford. He averaged 15 pts and 7 Rebs last year not 30 pts and 14 rebs.
You are spending 30% of your cap on a player whose best days are behind him — while he was playing for another franchise!
R says
Why would Gasol come back without Kobe around to brow beat him?
Seriously though, he’s been there done that, and many feel SA would be a better spot for him to make another grab for the brass ring.
KevTheBold says
Count me in on Biyombo.
He’s got experience, yet the right age for upside, and to grow with our core,…not to mention the correct character and price tag.
And I agree, he would pair well with Zubac.
matt says
I like the comments, offer biyombo and whiteside a deal simultaneously. Biyombo and Jefferson. Biyombo and mosgov. I like these combos. Biyombo feels an important role in the league, matching him with a more offensive backup sounds like a good idea. But still whiteside is #1 option. Horford why waste our time. And mahinmi is if we can’t get anyone, still a good player.
J C says
Biyambo Black and Bass.
The three Bs at C!
Hale says
Just as repetitive as I was years back about Shaun Livingston and Dorell Wright, I continue to advocate for Crazy Pills 2.O: Larry Sanders. Check if he wants to pause the music and get back to balling. Call him up and get him to accept Metta as his therapist.
aka says
I’m a big fan of Biyombo, I thought it might have been a good idea to give him a multi year deal last year at 4-5 mill per year since he was so young, and I thought charlotte gave up on him too early. Now that he’s played himself into a bigger contract, I’d actually much rather sign him than Whiteside. There’s a reason why the advanced defensive stats don’t like Whiteside that much, and it’s because he’s absolutely terrible in pick and roll coverage. Either he can’t or won’t hedge on any screen, and he’s not as laterally mobile as Biyombo. What little Biyombo gives away on the offensive end to Whiteside, at least he’s not going to try to do too much in order to “be the man” and he’ll be a much better pick and roll defender as well as nearly as good a rim protector… see Lebron’s failed drive during the playoffs.
I love that he competed hard and showed well in the playoffs, and I agree with some of the other posters that think he is trending upwards in his development. He’s only 23… seriously has a lot of time to continue to improve. He also is not a huge behemoth: meaning his body type doesnt look like it’s the injury prone very large very heavy traditional center, he’s not that tall or heavy. he works as a center in today’s era by way of his long wingspan and strength, and hops, not girth and weight, so I am less worried about durability with him than other big men.
Honestly, whiteside scares me, i think whoever signs him is going to quickly have buyers remorse if it were up to me, Biyombo is the guy I’d sign. And yes, I’d also take a flier on Larry Sanders at a midlevel type contract with team options as I think he’s the same age as whiteside, and is a laker season ticket holder, there was an interesting article about him a few months ago, and I think I can get behind a biyombo, sanders, zubac trio manning the middle for probably less than it would cost to sign whiteside alone.
matt says
Bass and black gotta go we aint tankin no mo
Vasheed says
I kinda like the idea of Biyombo. I didn’t realize he had such a long wingspan. He could play small ball while still matching up against bigs with his weight and length. Just no range as of yet.
mikeinchitown says
updating my fit/likelihood/gettability rankings:
1. whiteside
2. mahinmi (bit older at 29, but fits role well; gettable since pacers would have a tough time matching a strong/max offer). 3rd in defensive plus minus.
3. ezeli (very gettable since GS will be preoccupied with chasing FAs).
4. biyombo (would rank #2 but reports are that he wants to re-sign with TOR and willing to be patient through FA period).
5. horford
6. noah
smokedaddy says
Here’s one other possibility…
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/former-no–6-pick-aiming-to-return-to-league-151220952.html
matt says
In order to grasp an understanding of our free agent search this year we gotta look at what we have already, note that no irresponsible trades were made on draft day in an effort to make sure we contend this year. A good sign.
Pg. D’angelo russell, surely he will be given full reign this year, his starting position is secure for at least one more year, with Huertas as a backup, remember next years free agency is filled with almost every pg you would want. That’s why Huertas will be back for one more year, and if d’angelo doesn’t look good, he falls back next year…. no real need, even though I’m not thrilled about Huertas
Sg. Clarkson, lou williams, and sparingly ingram, there are not alot of great shooting guards in the league, so they might keep this spot intact, unless lou williams gets moved, We will definitely resign clarkson, he looks like a starter going forward, remember we are not trying to contend so they might leave it wide open for him again, ingram would provide defensive depth, but will he even play sg. If not a defensive player would be a good addition……a sg could possibly be added
Sf. Ingram (rookie role), anthony brown, and nick young. When you look this on paper then you realise that nick young definitely has to go. The main reason is because we need someone better in his slot, we need a player who can start, but at the same time we can slide to the bench if ingram plays into the starting spot. Anthony brown might improve under a new system but he’s still a baby……….so the small forward is a need, but it has to be a player who knows he’s a temporary fill until ingram is ready. Also if ingram is projected to play sg, a legit starter could be useful.
Pf, randle and nance jr. They gotta know randle is a special player that they wanna keep as a starter here, also he can matchup against opposing centers. Nance has injury issues, he’s a good role player, hopefully he gets even more pesky. But something is missing here, I’m thinking a ryan anderson type, but not necessarily him, a stretch for with center size would be a nice addition………….so power forward is a needed slot, a bench, stretch 4, with center size.
Center. We have zubac, but he’s a project so don’t expect much. A total reboot is key. Someone who makes randle look and play better in the post. Someone who can guard multiple positions. Who can switch on picks. Hopefully he’s got passing skills, he doesn’t have to be the best offensive player but definitely a good defender. Also you hope he will be around for awile, so hopefully he’s not at end of his career. the backup spot is key too our bench could use help, i like the concept of an offensive backup……..so center is the main need, 2 food players would be nice
Kevin says
As opposed to Larry Sanders I’s rather pursue Jan Vesely, remember him?
http://wizofawes.com/2016/05/15/washington-wizards-jan-vesely-bust-return-nba-rumors/
R says
Durant may play in LA, just not for the Lakers:
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_30064081/nba-clippers-land-pitch-meeting-durant
Anonymous says
Clippers have no shot unless they dump Griffin…the numbers don’t work with adding KD to their current core of Paul/Griffin/Jordan financially via the cap.
rr says
DS linked this on his Twitter feed:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2648618-a-family-divided-unrest-growing-in-buss-family-as-lakers-struggle-to-rebuild
Fern says
Excellent article. For me is Whiteside and Biyombo. That’s it. Noah and Hortford are too old and beat up. Specially Noah who Thibs ran into the ground as he did with Derrick Rose. They would be last resort signings in my opinion and not in a 4 year max deal. If Whiteside and Bismark sign elsewhere i would try to bring one of these two guys in a two year deal. Ezeli wast just beyond horrible in the finals and he is not worth the kind of coin that would be needed to pry him from GS. And Darius 9:01 is too late to make offers, i would send offers to Whiteside and Byombo at 9:00.01 and see who bites, you snooze you lose lol.
Shaun says
Biyombo is too small at 6’9 for the majority of centers in the west – he will get exposed in the western conference
Personally I dont think we should be going after the big fish but the middle and little fish with Livingston and Mo Speights being great targets at what should be reasonable money who could help usher in the Warriors system
I also like mozgov as a starting center
Real star FA targets will be who we go after in 1-2 years not now – wasting salary slots on maybes in Biyombo and Whiteside would be a mistake that would take 3-4 years to recover from – no matter what we will still be bad – id rather have guys around our core that can help them grow – we are not in win now mode yet
George Bacon says
I really feel no big names this off-season. Just fill in with vets this year and continue development. Zubac looks good moving forward. Mitch wouldn’t say it but he does remind you a little of Marc Gasol when they drafted him. We have a good nucleus just need to nurture them until they grow then everyone will want to come to LA in a few years. Patience of a sniper!
Buck Foston says
Maybe the “Whiteside is the Lakers #1 priority!” “leak” is a pump-fake, and Mitch has Biyombo as the target. A Defensive menace at 5, able to switch on to point guards, that doesn’t need a lot touches is the better option with our young core that need a lot of touches. Someone said it earlier, and I agree, simultaneous is the way to go.