Lake Media ranked 5 major center goals in the offseason: Kessler/Adams is the best, and Yang Hansen may be the alternative

Time is coming to early May, and the first round of the NBA playoffs in 2024-25 season has come to an end. At present, the four-group showdowns in the Eastern Conference have all won and lost; in the West, the series between the Rockets and Warriors, Nuggets and Clippers, the suspense is still continuing. In the first round of this year, what is more surprising is the Lakers' elimination. The Lakers lost to the Timberwolves 1-4 in the first round series and were brutally eliminated. This is the second consecutive year that James' Lakers were eliminated.

The Lakers' failure has a lot to do with the lineup defects, especially the vacuum in the center position, which has caused the Lakers to suffer a big loss. In the G5 game of the series, the Lakers made Timberwolves center Adams score 27 points and 24 rebounds, and it was like O'Neal. During this offseason, the Lakers need to focus on strengthening the center, which is also the focus of General Manager Pelinka.

Recently, the Lakers media listed the target candidates for several major centers in the offseason:

1. Walker Kessler (Jazz)

Defensive end: Top ability to protect the basket, rate of reserve requirement ratio (-11.4%) in the top three in the league, averaged 2.4 blocks per game and had excellent foul control (cap foul ratio 2.4:2.2). He is good at rebounding, and his frontcourt rebounds (4.6) and confrontation rate (over 40%) are both top in the league. Offensive end: Mainly "eating cake", with a basket shooting percentage of 78.6%, but lacks independent offensive ability and average screen quality (2.8 screens per game).

Advantages: Protecting the basket and rebounding can greatly alleviate the pressure of thick eyebrows, fitting with the Lakers' defensive counterattack system; young (23 years old) and the contract bonus period has not ended.

2. Derek Leifly (Mavericks)

Defensive end: strong mobility (movement speed 4.42), excellent defense ability, but insufficient basket protection, and easy to be suppressed when facing a power center. Offensive end: Mainly ending at the basket (75% shots at the basket), with an assist rate of 81%, good at pick-and-roll; averaged 8.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, with a shooting percentage of 71.2%.

Advantages: Have mature pick-and-roll cooperation experience with Doncic, and the rookie contract is cost-effective (average annual rate of about 5 million); it can be trained as the core of the inside line in the long run.

3. Daniel Gafford (Mavericks)

Defensive end: High efficiency in protecting the basket (1.8 blocks per game), with both moving speed and strength, and can switch to multiple positions. Offensive end: efficient finish at the basket (71.6% shooting percentage), good at all-in-one and pick-and-roll, but lacks the ability to shoot in the middle and long range. That is, combat power: averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, with a real shooting percentage of 85.7%, and has rich playoff experience.

Advantages: Plug and play blue collar, perfectly adapted to Doncic and James' passing system; high cost-effective contract (average annual average of 13 million).

4. Nicholas Clarkston (Nets)

Defensive end: Very good bulletproof (can defend against 1-5 positions), averages 1.4 blocks + 1.4 steals per game, and has a balanced basket protection and coordination capabilities. Offensive end: mainly eat cake and second-offensive (shot percentage 62.9%), with high screen quality (average 3.1 screen assists per game), but lacks shooting. Contract: 4 years of 100 million decreasing contract, with an average annual average of about 25 million.

Advantages: Comprehensive defensive ability meets the Lakers' small ball needs; the contract reduction structure is flexible, which facilitates future salary adjustment; low transaction costs (can be matched by role players + second round picks).

In addition, the Lakers media suggested that the Lakers can chase the Rockets' Adams in this offseason. Among them, Kessler and Adams are the best plans, which can bring huge improvements to the Lakers. For Kessler, as long as the Lakers are willing to go out of Reeves, they have a chance to get it, and Adams can bid against the Rockets in the free market.

In addition, there are fans who suggest that the Lakers can try Chinese player Yang Hansen with the second round pick at this year's draft. Overall, the Lakers have quite a lot of target candidates in the summer. The key is, who they are more inclined to pursue with all their strength!