Lakers rumors: The chances of trading each player on the roster

February 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) controls the ball agaist the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) controls the ball agaist the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Tarik Black (28) reacts after fouling out of an NBA Summer League game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Thomas & Mack Center. Minnesota won the game 81-68. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Tarik Black (28) reacts after fouling out of an NBA Summer League game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Thomas & Mack Center. Minnesota won the game 81-68. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Tarik Black

One of the biggest needs the team cannot afford to ignore is their talent and depth at center. Ivica Zubac could be the starter next season, while veteran Timofey Mozgov hasn’t been all that they hoped he would.

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In the middle of it all is Tarik Black.

Playing this previous season in the first of his most recent two-year deal, Black averaged 5.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. While those numbers don’t blow anyone away, he did so in just 16 minutes per game.

It’s a position that Los Angeles needs to work well if their young core experiment is to get them back into contention. Ball movement, offensive control, and even tempo don’t matter much if no one is able to crash boards and help the team get second chance shot attempts.

One area that Black needs to work on for his contributions to be at their most valuable is blocking. He averaged less than one block per game — that can’t fly the rest of his time in LA.

Considering that next season means he’ll be playing for a new contract offer or extension, it’ll be smart for the Lakers to keep him around in the rotation to see what he’s got.

Trading him would be a mistake.

Chance of being traded: 10%