Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Jul 3
Lakers Eye 3 Backup Centers After Ayton Trade Frees $2 Million
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Jul 3

Lakers Eye 3 Backup Centers After Ayton Trade Frees $2 Million

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jul 3

Summary

  • Los Angeles is weighing Andre Drummond, Jonas Valančiūnas and Kevon Looney for a reserve center role after sending Deandre Ayton to Washington.
  • The move opened roughly $2 million in flexibility and left the Lakers still hunting for frontcourt depth and a wing defender in free agency.
  • Ayton was dealt for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks after appearing headed for a backup role behind newly acquired starting center Walker Kessler.
  • Valančiūnas may be the hardest target to land because he has 1 year left on his Nuggets contract and reportedly plans to join Žalgiris Kaunas if released.

Insights

After trading Ayton, can a veteran like Andre Drummond or a prospect like Jonathan Kuminga truly fix the Lakers' defensive holes?
As the Lakers' bet on Walker Kessler is called 'very risky,' what's their contingency plan if the new center experiment fails?
What crucial element are the Lakers still missing to build a championship team around Luka Dončić?