Lakers Rumors: The Three Keys to Return to the Playoffs
By Jason Reed
3. Acquire a Dominant Big Man
If you look back at every ring the Lakers have won in franchise history, you will see that a dominant big man has always been part of the solution. Four and five for Kobe had Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, while not superstars those two played a huge role in that Lakers team back in 2009 and 2010.
Before that, Kobe had Shaq – before that Magic Johnson had perhaps the best big man to ever play Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In 1972 Jerry West had Wilt Chamberlain. You have to go back to the fifties to find a time when the Champion Lakers did not have a dominant big man, and even then the league itself failed to have many.
The Lakers need that dynamic big man, the anchor of the team that can pull in rebounds and block shots. Right now, Ivica Zubac and Julius Randle are impressing; however, they would be significantly better as a sixth man.
Whether it is via free agency or trade, the Lakers are going to need that dynamic big man to win games. Of course, Zubac may very well turn into that option, which would be great, but the Lakers cannot settle.
Blake Griffin, of course, has a player option heading into this year’s free agency class – he could always be an option. Other guys like Nerlens Noel, Serge Ibaka, and Paul Millsap may all be available. While these guys don’t hold that same impact as Shaq, it will be extremely beneficial to the team.