Ex-NBA player reveals what Lakers must address in offseason
Context:
The Los Angeles Lakers, despite a promising 50-win season and acquiring young star Luka Doncic, faced disappointment with a first-round playoff exit. Former player Lou Williams highlighted the need for the Lakers to strengthen their front court, as many Western Conference contenders have formidable big men. While LeBron James and Luka Doncic are secure, other players like Austin Reaves should also be considered untouchable according to Williams. The Lakers' roster includes several talented wings, but the departure of Anthony Davis has intensified calls for acquiring a starting center. With Rob Pelinka understanding the need to retain LeBron and pursue major trades, the Lakers must focus on bolstering their size and competitiveness in the offseason.
Dive Deeper:
The Los Angeles Lakers' season, which included a 50-win record and the historic first father/son duo, ended in disappointment with a first-round playoff exit. Despite acquiring Luka Doncic, their early playoff loss overshadowed these achievements.
Former Lakers player Lou Williams emphasized the need for the team to improve their front court strength, noting the formidable big men present in rival Western Conference teams like Denver's Nikola Jokic and Minnesota's Rudy Gobert.
Williams stated that while LeBron James and Luka Doncic should remain untouchable, Austin Reaves should also be protected, although fan opinion may differ. He suggested that the team must explore all options to get bigger and stronger.
The Lakers possess a strong lineup of wings including Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Dalton Knecht, but the loss of Anthony Davis has left a void in the center position, increasing the urgency to acquire a starting center.
Rob Pelinka is aware of the necessity to retain LeBron James and make strategic trades, with potential targets like a $97 million trade being considered to enhance the team's chances in the upcoming season.
Good seasons can quickly turn into disasters and that’s exactly what happened this year for the Los Angeles Lakers. They were a 50-win team, had the first father/son duo on a team together, acquired young superstar Luka Doncic, there was a lot to remember.
However, all of that gets quickly forgotten after losing in five games during the first round of the playoffs. Former Laker and three time NBA Sixth Man of the Year award winner Lou Williams shared his thoughts on the team’s next steps during a recent episode of Run It Back on FanDuel TV.
“Everyone is on the table besides LeBron and Luka. It should be Austin Reaves as well but the fans think differently. You look at everything. They got to get bigger, they got to get stronger at that position.”
Many of the contenders throughout the western conference have a strong front court, something the Lakers clearly lack. Oklahoma City has Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Houston has Alperen Sengun. Denver has Nikola Jokic. The Clippers have Ivica Zubac. Minnesota has Rudy Gobert and Golden State has Draymond Green, you get the point.
“Rudy Gobert having a 20/20 game, you got Jokic up the street, he’s not going anywhere, you’re going to have to battle him,” Williams said. “Remember, AD is still around. You gotta find someone who’s gonna go in there and at least compete with these guys to give you an opportunity to win basketball games at that position when the game does go big.”
Los Angeles has a plethora of talented wings, which could be something to consider when looking for ways to improve. Led by LeBron James, the group also includes Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Dalton Knecht, who was already almost traded in February for Mark Williams, however the Lakers failed his physical.
Lakers fans have been calling for the team to add a starting center for multiple seasons and that was with Anthony Davis on the roster. Now that he is gone, it’s even more vital that they add size.
MORE LAKERS NEWS