For many weeks, fans have been clamoring the Los Angeles Lakers to bring in help for their frontcourt via the buyout or free agency market.
As of now, they have only one true center on the roster: Mo Bamba, who returned from a sprained ankle on Friday after being out for about a month.
Buy Lakers TicketsWhile he will certainly help with his ability to block shots, rebound and hit 3-pointers, one shouldn’t expect him to play heavy minutes.
More depth behind Anthony Davis, who has almost exclusively played the 5 this season, would be welcome. The team has worked out a number of free agent centers, but it passed on signing any of them. It also had the chance to retain Jay Huff, but it declinied.
Yet Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus seems convinced the Lakers will sign a player on Sunday, the final day of the regular season, and keep him around for at least the rest of the year (h/t Silver Screen and Roll).
I anticipate the Lakers will sign a player tomorrow, probably for the rest of the season and an additional year with a non- or partial-guranteee (perhaps with a team option)
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) April 8, 2023
They seem set with solid depth in the backcourt and at both forward positions, which makes it seem likely they would sign a center, if they indeed sign another player.
When Bamba was out, L.A. was forced to go small whenever Davis was resting or unable to play, and it suffered the consequences defensively and on the boards.
