The LA Lakers need to strengthen in the off-season with their limitations exposed in the NBA Playoffs.
There were no arguments with the LA Lakers elimination in the NBA Playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves fully deserved their 4-1 series win.
And already, attention is turning to the Lakers’ big off-season, with general manager Rob Pelinka firm about the team’s needs.
Obvious to everybody who witnessed their playoff series defeat, the Lakers are in dire need of a new center, with Pelinka expressing this will be the team’s top priority in the off-season.
Who might that be? Already a few names are being suggested, including two players currently competing in the conference semi-finals.
Speaking on the Lakeshow postcast, Lakers expert Mike Bresnahan ran the rule over a list of potentially available big men.
He explained that Minnesota Timberwolves star Naz Reid and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner would be his preferred option.
Turner will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Reid has a $15 million player option he could decline, to enter the market and secure a better deal.
Bresnahan explained: “Myles Turner and Naz Reid, those are two guys that I would center around.
“Myles Turner, he made $20 million this year. Still going, he’ll be in the second round with Indiana. He’s kind of what Rob [Pelinka] was talking about.
“Rob did not mention by name [but] he’s the center that protects the rim and can spread the corner. Not much of a lob threat, but he can do that.
“Naz Reid, we saw plenty of him in this past round. He’s got his $15 million player option. You know, he might opt out of it and re-sign with Minnesota. That’s what a lot of those guys in that salary range tend to do.
“We saw his versatility on clear display. He can block shots, hit threes.”
Reid joining the Lakers would be a twist after this latest series, but he is expected to receive aggressive attention from multiple teams if he opts out, and it makes sense he would come under consideration in LA.
Both Myles Turner and Naz Reid have been competing at a high level in the NBA Playoffs for their respective teams, and have plenty of basketball yet to play, before entering a decision on their respective futures.
Data provided via SofaScore reflects their impressive performances to date, with both big men scoring at a field goal efficiency above 50 per cent.
Naz Reid has been lethal from behind the arc, scoring 50 per cent of his threes, while Turner is contributing a highly impressive 16.8 points per game.
Both players would offer a physical threat and rim protection for the Lakers, with Turner posting a notable 2.2 blocks per game in the opening series.
The Lakers’ search for players won’t be restricted to free agents, they will explore the trade market too – but among potential stars who could be available, Turner and Reid stand out as solid options.
