Lakers Rumors: Ranking the best targets during the 2019 offseason

5. Hassan Whiteside

If you look at every successful Lakers team in the franchise history there is always a great big man. Kobe Bryant had Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol. Magic Johnson had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Jerry West had Wilt Chamberlain. While having a dominant big man is not necessary in today’s NBA, as the Warriors have showcased, it can make a huge difference.

Hassan Whiteside has a player option during the 2019 offseason, which he can utilize to opt out of his deal with the Miami Heat for a max contract. At the time of the 2019 offseason, Whiteside will undoubtedly be the best big man available. While Marc Gasol and DeAndre Jordan could also be free agents, Whiteside will be in his athletic prime come 2019.

This is intriguing for the Los Angeles Lakers, who have no real direction at center. DeMarcus Cousins has been tied to the team before, but with the most recent reports, that move seems highly unlikely.

Brook Lopez is a free agent after this season and likely will not return to LA. Los Angeles is obviously only using his for contract space, evident by his significant dip in production and playing time. Ivica Zubac and Thomas Bryant are not reliable options to start at center.

Thus, it is safe to assume that the Lakers are going to need to bring in someone. Whiteside is a great fit — under certain circumstances.

If the Lakers have the cap for two stars, Whiteside should undoubtedly be the second star added. His shot blocking and rebounding presence is the final piece to a legitimate super team. However, if he is the only star that can be acquired, the Lakers should avoid wasting the money; he can’t as the primary star.