Lakers news: Four players on the bubble for final roster spots
By Jason Elbaum
Andrew Bogut, Center
The Lakers made the decision to sign veteran center Andrew Bogut thinking he would bring another interior presence to a team in desperate need of a backup center. Acquiring Brook Lopez helps the Lakers with their rim protection, but Bogut is a piece that makes the Lakers a dangerous defensive unit.
The first overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft has the experience and toughness to contribute to the Lakers this season. However, much of this is contingent on whether or not Bogut can stay healthy for the entire season. He has already struggled with a groin injury that has kept him out the entirety of the preseason and will likely land him as inactive to start the season.
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The Lakers are definitely taking a risk by adding the seven-footer out of Utah to the roster. However, the fact that Bogut is only signed to a one-year contract means that even if the experiment doesn’t work out as planned, the financial burden only lasts for one full season.
Bogut is still just 32-years-old, so he still has quality seasons left in him. For the Lakers, he will mostly be asked to protect the rim on defense and use his size to keep rebounds alive on the offensive end.
With Bogut on the bench to start the season, the Lakers will likely give second-year player Ivica Zubac minutes as the backup center until Bogut is healthy enough to play. When he does return, expect a fierce battle between the young Croatian and veteran Australian.
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Overall, the Lakers’ roster depth makes for some tough decisions leading up to opening night. The good Lakers news is that the team has the talent to overcome inevitable injuries that will happen during the season.