The Los Angeles Lakers' No. 1 agenda item for the offseason is no secret. After trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in the league-shaking Luka Doncic trade, the Lakers never adequately replaced his presence and rim protection in the post.
Los Angeles thought it had a solution at the five, trading for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams... until the deal was undone due to a failed physical. The Lakers would ultimately play small down the stretch, with LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt—all of whom are listed at 6' 8" or 6' 9"—playing the lion's share of frontcourt minutes in the playoffs. L.A. was eliminated in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
