Lakers could use depth behind Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney. What are their options?
The Los Angeles Lakers are actively searching for center depth to support Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney. While the team made a significant investment in Kessler this summer, concerns regarding player availability and injury history remain front of mind for the organization.
Kevon Looney brings experience, but his heavy workload over recent seasons leaves the Lakers thin at the five-spot. Current bench options like Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jarred Vanderbilt do not offer the profile of a primary backup center for an 82-game schedule. With no open roster spots available, adding a new player requires careful maneuvering.
The league-wide market for centers is currently sparse. Many teams are holding onto their depth, and established free agents are either limited in their impact or struggling to maintain health. The front office faces a difficult task in identifying an upgrade that fits within their current salary and roster constraints.
Potential targets have been identified, including Jericho Sims of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jalen Smith of the Chicago Bulls. While these players possess skill sets that could assist the rotation, availability remains a hurdle. Other free agents like Nick Richards remain options, yet none provide a guarantee for consistent production throughout the season. The organization continues to evaluate the market as the preseason approaches.