With Anthony Davis expected to be out of action for at least a month with a foot injury, the Los Angeles Lakers could definitely use some help at the center position.
Thomas Bryant has been playing well since returning from a thumb injury in November. In two starts since Davis’ injury, he has stepped up his overall game very nicely.
Damian Jones, the Lakers’ only other true center, played well on Monday versus the Phoenix Suns, producing seven rebounds and three blocked shots in 22 minutes.
But the team continues to canvass the NBA to see who could be available, and one center who could be available is the Orlando Magic’s Mo Bamba. Reportedly, the Lakers are one of several teams interested in him.
Via Yahoo Sports:
“Former No. 6 overall pick Mo Bamba may be the Magic’s greatest trade chip,” wrote Jake Fischer. “Orlando pursued Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, sources said, before the center joined New York, and the Magic then re-signed Bamba to a two-year, $20.6 million deal. League executives expect Orlando to hold out for a protected first-round selection or a late first-round pick to part with the 24-year-old rim presence. There are teams like the Lakers and (Los Angeles) Clippers, as well as Toronto, Sacramento and Brooklyn, that front-office personnel expect to sniff around the big-man market ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline and may be willing to cough up a pair of second-round choices for Bamba.”
Bamba has been a rising prospect over the past couple of years. The 24-year-old, who is seven feet tall and 231 pounds, is averaging 8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 19 minutes per game while shooting 50% from the field and 38.7% from 3-point range on 2.9 attempts a contest.
He would likely be a nice addition for L.A., as he can protect the rim while tossing in 3-pointers to open the court for Davis (when he returns), LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Lonnie Walker IV in the paint.
However, the Lakers’ greatest need isn’t at the center position but at small forward and power forward.
