(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
At first glance, it seems like pretty much all is well with the defending NBA world champion Los Angeles Lakers.
With a 21-7 record, they’re one of the league’s best teams, even though, for the most part, they haven’t really played their best so far this season. Yet, they’re first in defensive rating.
At the same time, good is the enemy of great, and so far the Lakers haven’t really had too many dominant games like the ones they had quite often last year.
Yes, new point guard Dennis Schroder seriously underperforming, but based on his track record, one would expect him to pick up his shooting percentage with time. Be that as it may, Schroder is contributing to the Purple and Gold in a positive manner with his passing, ball-handling and defense.
Anthony Davis’ play has been underwhelming, but he was starting to pick it up. Unfortunately, he will now miss significant time due to a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis.
When one takes a close look, it’s clear that the culprit of the Lakers’ imperfections is the center position — which is now is potentially even a bigger need with Davis’ injury.
After losing Dwight Howard in free agency and trading Javale McGee, the Lakers signed veteran center Marc Gasol. It seemed like a good move, as Gasol has the size and experience to defend elite bigs such as Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic.
However, Gasol has been ineffective this season, especially offensively and when it comes to interior defense, and he seriously lacks athleticism and mobility. He also hasn’t give L.A. the easy baskets that Howard and McGee often provided.
Last season, the Lakers were eighth in the NBA in points allowed in the paint. So far this year, they’re just 26th in that category.
To truly ensure that they will have a great chance of repeating as champs this summer, the Lakers will need to upgrade the center position, especially for depth while AD deals with his injury.
Here are three big men the Los Angeles Lakers could target after Anthony Davis’ injury.
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