The Lakers Have a Serious Backup Center Problem
For the past few years, much of the talk surrounding the Lakers has been the center position. Former Lakers star Anthony Davis constantly expressed that he would like LA to bring in a starting-caliber big before he was traded.
After Davis was traded for Luka Doncic, the Lakers lacked any talent at the position. That problem at the starting spot has been solved this season with Walker Kessler, but now the backup position is a fatal flaw that needs changing.
Kevon Looney’s Slow Start
The preseason expectation for many was that Kevon Looney would slot into the backup center spot and provide some key rebounding for the Lakers. Looney simply is not the player he once was in Golden State.
Looney posted a combined -29 in his first 30 minutes off the bench. That quickly led to him falling out of the rotation just 5 games into the season. Looney simply lacks the rim protection and athleticism needed even just in short bursts. So, who can be the answer?
Vando and Mamu 1-2 Punch
Following the removal of Looney from the backup role, JJ Redick inserted Jarred Vanderbilt into the rotation. Specifically, combining him with Sandro Mamukelashvili as a PF-C duo.
As of October 31st, in the two games since, with 34 minutes played by Vanderbilt, he has posted a +14. Granted, a +22 against the Warriors is skewing the small sample size.
But even though Vanderbilt has already produced more positive than Looney, the fit still is not great. Vanderbilt is not a good screener nor a lob threat that Luka Doncic would like to play next to. In addition, tying Vanderbilt to Mamukelashvili limits his role and restricts Redick’s creativity.
The Real Solution
What this ultimately boils down to is an issue of roster building. The Lakers elected not to pursue Jaxson Hayes or any other true backup big in free agency. Settling for an aging and declining Looney was a mistake, and it needs fixing.
Unfortunately, that solution is probably a few months away, as the trade market is not exactly hot in November. Once it does open up, though, Rob Pelinka must trade for a big who will be the second-best on the roster.
If not, LA will continue to find themselves losing the rebounding battle and struggling to produce when Walker Kessler is on the bench.
