Interestingly, the Los Angeles Lakers have continually failed to pair Anthony Davis with a great center, despite AD’s outspoken preference for playing power forward.
JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard were both decent centers, actually, and what do you know, LA won an NBA championship with those two guys on the roster alongside Davis.
Will Lakers GM Rob Pelinka let another trade deadline come and go without bringing in a quality five man?
Pelinka is reportedly trying to avoid such a fate. The Lakers have been linked to guys like Jonas Valančiūnas of the Washington Wizards, Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Nikola Vučević of the Chicago Bulls.
Less expensive targets like Day’Ron Sharpe (Brooklyn Nets) and Paul Reed (Detroit Pistons) have also been floated.
One center who could be better for the Lakers than all of the above names was recently suggested as a target by Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz.
To acquire this player, who is a two-time NBA blocks leader and former No. 11 overall pick, Swartz envisioned the Lakers putting together a package of Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish, and a 2029 first-round pick (top-5 protected) to present to the Indiana Pacers.
Would such a package entice the Pacers enough to part ways with 28-year-old stretch five Myles Turner? Swartz seems to think it’s possible.
“The Pacers may be forced to shop Turner at the deadline if they don’t feel like they can afford to re-sign him this summer,” Swartz said.
“Trading him now would help to solidify the roster around Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and others.”
“Hachimura, 26, is averaging 11.9 points and shooting 41.4 percent from three this season. Hayes gives the Pacers some additional size with Turner gone, and Reddish, 25, still has some potential left.”
“Indiana also adds a future first after giving up three in the deal for Siakam last year.”
Perhaps Pelinka should pick up the phone and dial up the Pacers immediately.
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