Lakers looking to add ‘big, bruising’ center’

The Los Angeles Lakers have failed to make any major upgrades to their roster this offseason. The front office is not done looking for upgrades, however, according to JJ Redick. Speaking to Justin Termine and Eddie Johnson of SiriusXM NBA Radio, the first-time head coach revealed they are in the market for a center, stating:

You certainly have to look at what I think is actually a very good roster, a very balanced roster. We’d love, we tried, but we’d love to, at some point, get another five man, a big bruising five man.

You look at the Western Conference right now, whether it’s Denver, Minnesota, OKC with what they added, certainly Memphis, they’re going to be back in the hunt, they added Zach Edey, in certain matchups in the playoffs, you’re going to need a lot of size.

Anthony Davis was the only big man who played at least 20.0 minutes per game for the Lakers last season. While Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes both exercised their player options to rejoin the team, it is unclear if either will have a bigger role in 2024-25.

“I want that challenge. I’m not going to run from that challenge”

New Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick explains the comments he made in 2022 about LA not being a good job at that time@TermineRadio | @jumpshot8 | @SiriusXMSports | #NBA2KSummerLeague pic.twitter.com/uLN9tH41Ex

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 13, 2024

Los Angeles Lakers reportedly interested in Wendell Carter Jr.

Apr 12, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market for a big man this offseason. The franchise has reportedly shown interest in Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports reported their interest, writing:

One guy of interest, though, who could help the Lakers check a few boxes remains a possible trade target: Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. And one executive said he’s still the kind of player the Lakers should be looking for.

“Fairly young, probably a little undervalued because of his red flags (injuries) and still tapping into his skillset,” the exec told Heavy Sports. “The contract is right, it makes sense for them. That’s a guy they’re monitoring, but a lot of teams are.” [h/t Heavy Sports]

Carter Jr. averaged 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks in just 25.6 minutes per game last season. He shot 52.5% from the field, 37.4% from three-point range and 69.4% from the free-throw line. The big man is on a team-friendly deal as he is just owed $22.8 million over the next two seasons.

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