Lakers ‘Actively’ Trying To Sign Player At Key Position, Per Rob Pelinka

The Los Angeles Lakers tried to address each and every key position this offseason, including center. The front office will probably take 15 players into the new season. However, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka plans to keep their tradition alive and have an available roster spot.

The Lakers general manager shared some details about the 14^th roster spot, suggesting that the team will probably use it to get a nee center.

“Yeah, so we have 13 guys signed and we are actively in the market to add another big,” Pelinka said on July 9, via Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group. “Coach and I have talked a little bit with Anthony [Davis] in the offseason about more minutes of some of the 2020 success we had where Anthony got to play with a big and I think adding Jaxson Hayes was key to that.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka says the team are actively looking for another big to add to the roster: pic.twitter.com/P9C1BswECS

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) July 9, 2023

“I think Jaxson, much like maybe Dwight Howard in that stretch for us, is a big body, rim protector, active roller. When you have on-ball guys like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, having someone who is willing to sacrifice their body and set a screen is important and I think Jaxson is gonna big there. But we are looking to add an additional center as well.”

Lakers found the best options for each key position

Jaxson Hayes joined the Lakers on the first day of July. The Lakers need to get more big guys. AD is prone to injuries and the Lakers need a backup plan in case he suffers another serious injury.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka says "dimensionalizing" the skills at the center position will be a priority as the team searches for another big pic.twitter.com/pR60GD3SzV

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) July 9, 2023

Jovan Buha from The Athletic reported that the Lakers have their eyes on Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo.

“Centers Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo are in consideration for that 14th roster spot, according to team sources not authorized to speak publicly on the matter,” Buha wrote. “The Lakers had interest in Dario Saric before he signed with the Golden State Warriors earlier this week, those sources said. Pelinka clarified that Los Angeles is hoping to find a player that is different than Hayes from a skill-set perspective.”

The Lakers will probably add more young power to their roster which makes Hayes a perfect option for the team.