Lakers have massive problem with $50M three-time NBA champion despite trading for Walker Kessler originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have made several major moves this offseason to set themselves up for the near future. Los Angeles made three moves in free agency right away, significantly changing the outlook of the organization.
As soon as the new league year began, the Lakers made a blockbuster move by trading for Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler.
“The Los Angeles Lakers started the process of remaking their roster in the wake of LeBron James' decision to leave with a blockbuster trade and a trio of free agency signings Wednesday. Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that the Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030,” ESPN wrote.
Not long after, Los Angeles traded last season’s starting center, Deandre Ayton, to the Washington Wizards. The Lakers then signed veteran center Kevon Looney.
“While the Los Angeles Lakers continue to actively pursue unrestricted free agent wing Jonathan Kuminga, league sources told ESPN on Tuesday, they've agreed to a one-year deal with veteran center Kevon Looney, who was Kuminga's teammate while with the Golden State Warriors. The deal is worth $3.9 million,” ESPN’s Anthony Slater wrote.
Signing Looney was a gamble in itself, as the three-time NBA champion is no longer the player he once was. The Lakers have not been able to add another true backup center, meaning Looney is expected to fill that role. Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts believes that could be a major problem for Los Angeles.
“This signing was a gamble. Loon was a replacement-level player last season. The Lakers clearly believe he will be better, but they need another option. Going into the season with just two true centers is a problem. If Kessler is forced to miss time, the Lakers have serious issues on defense and at the five,” Watts wrote.
The Lakers need to find a better backup center, and they know it. However, the team does not have many attractive trade pieces to acquire one. Looney was once a valuable big man for the Golden State Warriors, but he is no longer the same player he was during his prime.
Looney has made $50 million throughout his career. Los Angeles loves having Kessler as its starting center, but he does have an injury history. At this point, relying on Kessler as the primary starter without a reliable backup is not a position the Lakers want to find themselves in.
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