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Can one change end the Lakers’ centre nightmare? The answer will surprise you
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- Can one change end the Lakers’ centre nightmare? The answer will surprise you
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
What stands out most about the Lakers ' offseason isn't a splashy signing or a bold trade – it's the way they've stopped trying to convince themselves everything is fine as is.
For years, Los Angeles treated centre as an afterthought. Sometimes they leaned into small ball, other times they tried mixing up lineups, and often they just hoped their role players could hold up against bigger bodies. None of those approaches ever really stuck.
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Now, according to a Western Conference executive, the Lakers appear "laser focused" on fixing the spot once and for all. The executive told Heavy Sports that Los Angeles simply cannot compete in the West with its current situation in the middle.
The comments were highlighted in a recent Lakers Daily report that framed center as the organisation's top offseason priority.
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images
The Ayton-Hayes Pairing Never Looked Like a Long-Term Solution
This change isn't just about who plays centre; it shows that Los Angeles has come around to what much of the league already knew. Their biggest issue wasn't hiding anywhere – it was right there in plain sight.
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Last season, the Lakers relied on a mix of Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes to fill the void at centre. On paper, Ayton's numbers were solid enough.
He put up 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 block per game while shooting an efficient 67.1 per cent from the field across 72 appearances. Meanwhile, Hayes added a bit of bounce and activity off the bench.
But in reality, nothing had been solved. The team still didn't have a dependable interior presence, still struggled to clean up the defensive glass, and regularly found themselves exposed against top frontcourts in critical games.The
Western Conference keeps exposing the same flaw
It goes beyond just adding another centre. The Lakers need someone who can handle the demands of playing in the West. Nikola Jokic remains the toughest cover at the position, and Victor Wembanyama is changing expectations for interior defence. Oklahoma City 's length up front adds even more challenges.
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Los Angeles doesn't need a perfect solution, but they do need a clear upgrade from what they have now. The center position has been consistently cited by league observers as one of the main reasons holding them back from becoming a real contender.
That's why recent comments from executives matter—center isn't just another need anymore, it's becoming the priority. Luka Doncic being around changes things too.
Several offseason reviews have come to similar conclusions: Doncic is best suited alongside a defensive anchor who can rebound and work well in pick-and-roll situations. That profile helps focus their search on balance and defence rather than scoring alone.
Top targets might be out of reach
Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren have been linked to the Lakers throughout the offseason, but both players will be difficult to land. There's already strong interest in each of them, and most around the league don't expect their current teams to let them go easily.
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If those options are off the table, Los Angeles may have to cast a wider net. There are several veteran defenders and low-cost specialists being discussed around the league who could still offer more stability than what the Lakers had last season. The key isn't just the name – it's finding someone who can truly impact how teams approach playing against them.
There will still be questions about roster depth, long-term flexibility, and how the team plans to maximise its star window, and those are all fair points. But none of them matters as much as what happens at center.
While plenty of noise will always surround the Lakers' offseason plans, the core issue hasn't changed. The team has spent years trying to cover up a glaring hole in the middle, and recent reports indicate they're finally done with stopgaps. Now comes the harder part: actually finding a solution.
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