In this news:
Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sunday, April 27, 2025 - Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los ... More Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave the court after loss to Timberwolves. The LA Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves in game three of the NBA playoffs, at the Target Center. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Lakers lost a nail biter on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting them in a tough 1-3 spot as the series back to Los Angeles.
Regardless of whether they get back into the series or not, the franchise is looking at some major needs going into the offseason.
Big man depth
While the Lakers are huge at virtually every spot, they are short on center. But in quality, and in depth.
The Lakers famously, or perhaps infamously, rescinded the deal they made for Mark Williams with the Charlotte Hornets before the February 6th trade deadline, and that's currently looking like a rough decision.
Jaxson Hayes can barely stay on the floor, leaving head coach JJ Redick to play small ball, relying on the size of Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura to make up for the shortcomings at the center spot.
Not having a big, physical presence down low, as well as someone who can block shots, rebound, run the floor, and be a constant lob threat, is a problem when Dončić is on the floor.
It leaves the Slovenian superstar passing the ball around the perimeter a lot, as opposed to getting into the teeth of the defense, and passing over the top of defenders.
You can almost copy and paste the same issue, and attach it to James as well, whose size is almost negated in many ways, seeing as the Wolves aren't overly concerned about James using himself as leverage, only to find someone to dump the ball off to, as he gets closer to the rim.
.png)
