Lakers Rumors: Festus Ezeli to join Walton in LA?

 Will Festus Ezeli join Lakers head Coach Luke Walton LA and he could be the rock in the middle on defense for the Los Angeles Lakers.

As we get closer to the 2016 NBA draft, we will continue to hear rumors and stories about what moves the Lakers will make in free agency after the draft.

There are multiple centers and shooting guards in free agency and the Lakers need these positions filled ASAP!

Yes they could find those players in the draft, but they need a veteran free agent to be a leader for the team and who can make an impact on the team immediately.

That is not to say who they draft at 2 can’t make an impact immediately; they just need someone with experience in the league, who can be a mentor to the players they draft and this young team they have.

What Festus Ezeli brings to the table that some other centers in the league currently can’t, is his knack for his defensive abilities and his ability to knock down free throws.

The one con that the Lakers should worry about is his jump shot in the key.

Either he doesn’t have one or if he does, he doesn’t use it because he does all the dirty work for the Warriors and doesn’t shoot the jumpers.

I have not seen him attempt any jump shots, but what I have seen him do is make big plays on defense, crash the glass, make his free throws, and hustle on every play.

Festus Ezeli is a restricted free agent after this year.

All this means is the team that is interested in him makes him an offer and the Warriors have the opportunity to match that offer, go higher, or let him go, and Ezeli can choose where he wants to play.

Hypothetically, if here were to explore and the Warriors were to match another teams offer he can deny them or accept it.

Different from unrestricted free agents where they are able to sign with any team that is interested in them and vice versa.

In reality if the Lakers cannot grab Demarcus Cousins from the Kings, Bismarck Biyombo from the Raptors, or Joakim Noah from the Bulls, then where would they go to find a center to fill their vacancy who has the skill set they are looking for.

The Warriors are the best option as the Lakers just hired Luke Walton as the next head coach in the middle of the post-season.

If they can’t find a center in the draft or well known superstar in free agency, Festus Ezeli is their best Plan B, last option as in Walton could help convince him to join him in LA.

He would be a starter, earn big minutes, and would earn more money than now, unless he is content with what he makes currently.

There are 4 centers on the Warriors which means their is competition, on the Lakers Ezeli would be the competition to beat out for the starting role.

He wouldn’t have to worry about if he is going to get minutes or not with the Lakers, like he sometimes does with the Warriors because of how many centers they have.

Festus Ezeli having a starting role just means who will have more opportunities to shine in the league with his play and become an all-star.

The Lakers are searching for players who’s strength on the court is their defense, because that will help them build their team and win a championship, as defense is what wins the teams championships.

Ezeli is a rim protector, who can make free throws therefore maybe he does have a jump shot but we just haven’t seen it.

In brief there is potential he has and we haven’t seen him at his full potential or capacity.

He does hustle on the court along with crashing the glass and the Lakers need more of that, hence that is why he would be a great fit.

Instead of wearing blue and gold he could be wearing purple and gold next year.

There is no definite answer, but he fits the mold for what the Lakers are looking for.

Los Angeles is making moves and with all these rumors and stories going on, there is no telling what they are actually planning to do in free agency and the draft.

If the Lakers end up drafting players who will not start immediately, they could also go after Harrison Barnes in free agency with Ezeli.

Then they could use their draft picks to acquire good players who will develop throughout the yea and then they will starters and a good bench,

Fetus Ezeli could be the matchmaker for the Lakers, because he wants to be a starter most likely, but also he will want some money.

He will most likely be content with whatever amount he is given, but that it is why he’d be perfect because the money wouldn’t be a distraction.

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He just wants to play basketball, have fun like he is with the Warriors and win championships.

He could do that with the Lakers since he has rings and a championship.

Festus Ezeli is young and so are the Lakers, but he has experience therefore he is a veteran after 5 years.