The Overlooked Reason Lakers May Overcome Center Uncertainty in 2024-25
It might not be as critical as it seems.
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently ill-prepared for potential postseason matchups against dominant centers like Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, and Alperen Sengun. This shortcoming has led to concerns about the impact of the canceled Mark Williams trade.
While their center position remains a weak spot, there are still reasons to believe the Lakers can manage their interior issues.
With 30 games left in the season, the Lakers sit at 32-20, 12 games over .500. If the season ended now, they’d be the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, avoiding the Play-In Tournament.
In that case, the Lakers would face the Houston Rockets in a first-round series, needing to find a way to counteract Sengun.
What gives the Lakers an edge over Houston and many other teams is the combination of Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Though it’s yet to be seen how their pairing will unfold, it provides the Lakers a distinct advantage with one of the best players on the floor, almost always on their side.
Additionally, the Lakers possess an underrated strength that could help address their interior weaknesses: Potentially exceptional perimeter depth.
Lakers’ Perimeter Depth Could Help Compensate for Interior Shortcomings
Los Angeles has assembled a roster featuring impressive perimeter players. At the forefront are Doncic and James, two All-NBA stars who can carry a team through a postseason series. Behind them, Austin Reaves has emerged as a strong third option.
In his last 28 games, Reaves has averaged 20.7 points, 7.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.5 three-pointers, shooting .450/.363/.869 from the field.
This trio gives the Lakers a formidable offensive attack. Additionally, rookie Dalton Knecht, a sharpshooter, could provide a spark, having already scored 37 points in a single game.
Throughout the roster, the Lakers boast a solid mix of playmakers, shooters, and shot creators capable of matching up offensively with most teams.
The main concern remains defense, but there are reasons to hold off on major alarm bells. Los Angeles has built a strong defensive rotation, led by 3-and-D player Dorian Finney-Smith and elite defender Jarred Vanderbilt.
With two wings capable of shutting down opposing players, the Lakers have the tools to stifle perimeter-oriented offenses enough to allow Doncic and James to finish games.
It’s also worth mentioning that Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, and Gabe Vincent have all contributed on defense in 2024-25. If Jordan Goodwin can live up to his reputation as a high-level defender, the Lakers’ depth could be enough to cover up their center depth issues.
Matchups will be the true test of this strategy in the playoffs, but the Lakers might be better equipped to handle their center situation than initially thought.
