Can the Lakers Find a Center?

0:00 - Intro
0:17 - Who Goes Out?
1:22 - Brook Lopez
3:01 - Wendell Carter, Jr.
4:33 - Clint Capela & Jakob Poeltl
5:02 - Walker Kessler
5:12 - Robert Williams III
6:10 - Cheaper Options

The Lakers have cycled through a new set of big men every season of the LeBron & AD era, and it's one of the most pressing roster concerns going into the 2024-25 season. In this video, Pete takes a look at the trade market for bigs, which Lakers would likely need to be going out, and more.

Music by: @imveedy x Khvn, @wossybeatz, @Guy_Beats, @theskybeats

[slurnie]

Pete thank you for uploading. So blessed to have you back. Praying for you and yours

[Blazins]

You might of just sold me on the idea of the second tier, Dayron Sharpe should do. I love the idea of Wendell but i didnt realise he was so injury prone - He's coming back from an Injury right now too. Shouts to you for acknowledging the need for a playmaker with a D'lo trade.

[disintegrateallhumans]

Walker Kessler just makes so much sense for the Lakers.

His contract is cheap, which would make it easier to trade for him.
He’s only 22, & could be a solid pick up for now, & the future.

He’s shoots 66% from the field, averages 2.4 blocks, & doesn’t commit many turnovers.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that the Jazz’s GM has stated that the Lakers draft picks are among the most valuable in the league.
If the Lakers can get Walker Kessler for an unprotected first, they’d be stupid not to..

[unforgiven]

Long time listener, hot damn is it great to get videos from you again bruh! Glad to have you back in this capacity, hope it’s the beginning of bigger things for you.

[gregpollard]

Great Big Man Option Video!!!

My Top Choices:
1) Wendell Carter
2) Walker Kessler
3) Day’Ron Sharpe
4) Nik Richards
5) Duop Reath

📌 Lopez is too Old & Williams is too Injury Prone.

[Alpez]

I think Brook Lopez is easily the best option. Brook would flex AD’s defensive superpowers while also fitting offensively. Concerns with Bron at the 3 are valid but overstated when lakers would cover him with different strategies to ease that weakness. Bron, AD, Brook cover so much ground with length and strength to work great. Brook gives Lakers a ready now, championship winning, big body, defensive center that fits offensively. Lakers wouldn’t have to ask AD to cover for every other lakers player on the defensive end every night and would give Lakers some life on defense if AD were to miss time or just go to the bench. JJ would have to be smart with splitting them up often so they can man the defense alone and together. They can use him greatly in a Western conference that has Jokic, Sabonis, Sengun/Adams, Zubac, Nurkic, Wemby, Kat/Gobert/Naz, JJJ/Edey (and to a lesser extent Chet/Hartenstein, Lively, and Ayton). All big body centers that give Lakers problems. Also true that every trade candidate (including the forwards candidates) have injury concerns besides Kessler. Even with Brook’s age he’s still proven to be more reliable

[raidersable]

Great to have you back bro I have always loved your content keep it up.

[themack]

This is the type of content I look for as a Lakers fan.

[appetizerssushi]

Loving the content, you are one of the best out there!!!!

[RipperCV]

I'm so glad to have you back and all these great content, Pete! Much love from the Philippines. You put out the best basketball related media (podcasts and play analysis) out there!

[calvinvan]

Welcome back man. I think Nick would be the best option at the 5 moreover if we can get him only for JHS and a Minimum contract plus some seconds? That'd be a major win.

[jasonsutton]

Pete I've been following you for awhile and really like your break down and analysis on lakers game and just wished you were more active in uploading and now that you're doing playback I can't wait to tune in. I follow you and LakersNation. I might be the minority here but I think Lakers shouldn't try and break the bank and go with the cheaper options as I feel we should keep Rui and Vando. If lakers can somehow grab a Nic Richards, or Day, ron sharp then I can see Rui going back to the bench for Vando so that he can play his natural position which is more of the 4. As a contingency plan I really think Hayes can become an asset this year with more consistent minutes and I'd look to move Woods.

[mariovelasquez]

Brooklyn and Portland are teams I see getting rid of salary to bottom out for Flagg and test the FA market when it comes, so they could value the expiring dollars of Hayes and Cam and a second for future team building, and would also not want a super great piece that could win them too many games. Definitely something to keep an eye on

[janzthenomad]

This is why trading Reaves might be our best option IMO. He has the most value while also being the one whose position and production is far easier to replicate. His contract is the easiest to move and would give us leverage in negotiations far more than Dlo. Ntm the enormous hole trading Dlo would leave in our offense and spacing, bolstering our SG and SF positions with better defenders and shooters will maximize not only Dlo’s skillset but help Bron who doesn’t really commit as much on that end at 40yo.

A big would be nice fr but it can wait. The wing is far more important rn if we want to win.

Grant, Cam, or even Kuz would help implement JJ’s 5 out offense and give us the spacing and serviceable defense we need. They have to be priority rather than a big. Our backcourt needs a change and imo moving Max up to start next to Dlo while Grant covers the wing makes us a far better team on both ends.

Again, a big man can wait. Bring up Moses Brown if we’re desperate for a new face for now or Castleton.

Dlo
Max
Grant
Bron
AD

[mauricemallari]

What do you think of Omer Yurtseven? He can shoot a little bit and has great size for a C

Been a listener of the LFR pod since the beginning. Appreciate what you and Darius do for the fans.

[jerrelmfajardo]

Jalen Duran from the Pistons is so tough. I'd love him next to AD!

[KevinHoltabc]

Day'Ron Sharpe looks like a good realistic option. I'd be worried about Williams and WCJ health, and I don't think the Jazz trade Kessler for 1 FRP.

[jadenng]

I would like Omer Yurtseven as a backup big over Hayes. Will Hardy didn’t play him much last year but he is a great rebounder, has a solid post bag, can roll and catch lobs and has even flashed some stretch big potential. He isn’t a big time shot blocker but he has good defensive instincts and his size (7’0, 260lbs) means he has no problem being physical. The Lakers could probably sign him on a minimum deal.

[getthefonyourdot]

If we have a good coach/system that holds our players responsible for their rebounding responsibilities, both Hayes and wood should be fine on the boards. Wood/hayes is a great combination bc they attack different coverages. Up against a drop heavy team? Wood can pop. Up against hedging team? Hayes cut and rolling is very effective. All comes down to coaching with our contending roster

[Beau]

WCJ is a great option . He can play with both Bron and AD if Bron has Max or Reddish at SG to strengthen the perimeter defense

6’10” strong C that has shown to be able to both guard big C’s and switch on to the perimeter. Very similar to Bam on defense.

LAL’s defense and rebounding would sky rocket with AD and WJC sharing the front court