J.J. Redick discusses the ongoing dilemma faced by the Los Angeles Lakers concerning Anthony Davis’s role on the team. Although Davis is undeniably the Lakers’ most skilled center, he prefers not to play the position full-time. Instead, Davis has expressed a desire to spend more time alongside a traditional center, which would allow him to avoid the physical toll of playing center continuously.
Last season, Davis played nearly all of his minutes as a center, and the Lakers’ roster remained unchanged over the offseason. With Christian Wood sidelined due to knee surgery, the team is poised to face similar challenges this season. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin highlights that the Lakers have not adjusted their lineup to accommodate Davis’s preference for playing alongside another big man.
The Lakers’ current plan involves pairing Davis with Jaxson Hayes, but their limited time together last season showed a negative net rating of -9.4, indicating that this combination may not be effective in the long run. This suggests that the Lakers will need to seek a more viable solution through trades or other adjustments.
One potential target for the Lakers is Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards. LeBron James was willing to take a pay cut to help sign Valanciunas, who ultimately chose a three-year, $30 million deal with Washington. The Lakers’ offer was likely less attractive, possibly due to their focus on other trade opportunities, such as attempting to acquire Klay Thompson.
Valanciunas could become available for trade after December 15 and fits the Lakers’ need for an experienced traditional center who can contribute both offensively and defensively. However, other teams, like the Pelicans and Knicks, are also likely to pursue him.
The Lakers may need to trade valuable assets, such as draft picks or young players, to acquire him. The decision will depend on the team’s performance and needs as the season progresses, which could mean Davis might continue to play more center than he would prefer.
