The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly eyeing a return to the “two-big lineups” that helped bring them their latest title in 2020. Though the situation is different now than it was three years ago—with only Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes as the guaranteed men in the middle—the team has not given up on finding a center to sign with their 14th roster spot.
Recent developments have led to new questions over who the team could actually sign. Here are four centers the Lakers should consider as training camp looms.
Lakers Rumors: Four Possible Targets as Center Search Continues
Christian Wood
Even after a productive season for the Dallas Mavericks, 27-year-old Christian Wood remains unsigned. I mentioned last month that he was already on the Lakers’ radar, and that could still be the case with other options growing slim. Wood offers floor-spacing and offensive versatility which the Lakers need. Wood would be the best option for a starting or backup big man if Davis plays stretches at power forward.
Serge Ibaka
Recently opening up about his exit with the Milwaukee Bucks, veteran NBA big man Serge Ibaka is an intriguing target for the purple and gold. Though he only played 16 games for the Bucks, averaging 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest, he still hopes to return to the league. One of his final games with the Bucks was on Nov. 11, where he recorded 11 points and nine rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs.
Unlike his previous stints with the Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers, Ibaka would have a better shot at earning backup minutes and being a significant contributor. The Lakers used the same approach with Dwight Howard in 2022, where he would play anywhere from 10-15 minutes every few games, doing just enough to impact the game and relieve Davis. Ibaka still holds value as a 6-foot-10, 235-pound big man. Serge adds size to LA’s frontcourt, not to mention his potential as another mentor for Hayes. The Lakers should at least consider giving him a training camp invite to prove himself to the organization.
Bismack Biyombo
Similar to Wood, the Lakers also reportedly had interest in Bismack Biyombo, who had a solid season with the Phoenix Suns. At 6-foot-8 and 255 pounds, the 30-year-old averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He also shot nearly 58% from the field. He barely played in the postseason, but was still effective. Bismack posted a statline of 3.4 points and 3.4 rebounds on 56% shooting.
Though Biyombo may not have the size of Davis or Wood, he still plays solid defense. Bismack also finishes well around the basket. He had a season-high 17 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks against the Philadelphia 76ers on Mar. 25, where he held his own against Joel Embiid. Biyombo was equally productive when he came off the bench, as evidenced by an 11-point, 13-rebound outing against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 28.
Biyombo would still be a solid alternative if the Lakers end their pursuit of Wood and aren’t on Ibaka’s radar.
(Re-Signing) Tristan Thompson
Tristan Thompson joined the Lakers near the end of the 2022-23 season, and provided an extra frontcourt presence in the playoffs, albeit sparingly. His stats in six games were forgettable (an average of 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds). Nevertheless, he was still a decent option.
Before the Lakers, Thompson played for three teams in the 2021-22 season: the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, and Chicago Bulls. He proved to be effective at each stop. However, he averaged 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in Chicago while shooting 56% from the field. Over the course of the year, he notched 17 points and six rebounds off the bench when the Kings defeated the Washington Wizards in February, and he had 13 points and nine rebounds when the Bulls lost to the Sixers in March.
Thompson can still be an effective option for the Lakers. Tristan plays to his strengths and excels in his role. His familiarity with the team from its playoff run is an added bonus. If things work out, he could improve his chemistry with them during a full training camp and regular season.
In-House Improvements
If the Lakers don’t land their targets—or wait until the buyout market hits—there are other options for LA.
The Lakers have already found success with Davis at center to begin with. However, they also have other reliable options who could jump in as small-ball fives. Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura have enough size and strength to act as centers in Darvin Ham’s lineups. They have experience going against top bigs throughout the regular season and playoffs.
According to Jovan Buha, the abundance of power forwards is a key reason why, their two-big approach is now futile.
“Why would the Lakers shave off the minutes of better players, like Rui Hachimura, Prince or Jarred Vanderbilt, to commit to a two-big look?” Buha wrote. “Even if they sign Biyombo or Wood, it still makes sense to start Davis at center and use Hayes and Wood or Biyombo off the bench.”
A recent piece from SBNation Lakers writer Alex Regla—in which he noted several lineups to look for next season—seems to concur with Buha’s opinion. The majority of Regla’s combinations all had Davis at center, and the ones that didn’t used Hayes as the substitute. All of them were hellbent on using what had worked (in some respects) last season. Still, adding to center depth won’t hurt at all. It’s an avenue the Lakers must continue to explore if they want to bookend a successful summer.
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