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Quick Bytes
- Austin Reaves believes the Lakers are close to championship contention with a few roster tweaks.
- Reaves suggests the Lakers need a physical center to alleviate pressure from Anthony Davis.
- The Lakers have shown interest in free agent Jonas Valanciunas to strengthen their center position.
Lakers’ Offseason Focus: Aiding Anthony Davis
The Los Angeles Lakers, following a playoff defeat, are entering the offseason with the goal of bolstering their roster. Austin Reaves, in an interview with Lakers Nation, expressed optimism about the team’s proximity to championship capability, aligning with new head coach JJ Redick’s perspective.
Reaves highlighted the need for a robust center to support Anthony Davis, especially against formidable opponents like Nikola Jokic. Despite Davis’s impressive performance, the strain of his dual role on offense and defense is unsustainable. Reaves pointed out that a dedicated center could allow Davis to focus more on helpside defense and offense.
While the Lakers have Christian Wood and potentially Jaxson Hayes, neither match up to the physicality required to handle centers like Jokic or Joel Embiid. The Lakers’ interest in Jonas Valanciunas, a free agent previously with the New Orleans Pelicans, indicates a move towards addressing this gap. Valanciunas’s profile seems to fit the type of player Reaves described as necessary for the team’s success.
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