Lock the target! The 23-year-old young player leads, these five centers are expected to join the Lakers, and the old player is likely to return!

The Lakers this season are very disappointing. Although they won the third place in the Western Conference, after entering the playoffs, even though Luca Doncic and LeBron James performed as well as possible, the team's inside line was too poor, and the result was that they were swept out by the Timberwolves Gentleman. Therefore, this offseason, the most important change the Lakers need to make is to find inside players suitable for the team to fill the vacancy in the No. 5 position. Recently, according to internal reporters of the Lakers, the team has set five centers as their target and will spare no effort to get them. Let’s take a look at who these five centers are and how they performed this season!

1. Walker Kessler

This season's data: 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.4 blocks

Kessler, 23 years old this year, has become a member of the Lakers' roster of signings. This 2022 rookie has shown outstanding abilities in his past three years of NBA career. Especially this season, the Jazz are in a bad situation, and he can average 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.4 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 66.3%. Although he is not good at outside shooting, he also made 6 three-pointers this year. If he focuses on developing three-pointers in the future, he may also develop his shooting ability. Of course, what the Lakers are interested in Kessler is his solid basic skills. Kessler continues the advantages of an excellent traditional center, providing 2.9 screening assists in each offensive round, which is undoubtedly Doncic's potential pick-and-roll partner. His ability to eat at the basket is also very good, with a shooting percentage of 71.1%, and the competition for frontcourt rebounds is also quite good. This season, averaging 4.6 frontcourt rebounds, ranking first in the league. On the defensive end, he also has very good protection for rebounds, and averages 7.6 backcourt rebounds per game. His strong ability to protect the frame can at least help the team's defense improve one level. However, Kessler is very young. Although the Jazz are willing to listen to his offer, it is unlikely that the Lakers will reach a deal without taking advantage of some draft picks.

2. Nicholas Clarxton

This season's data: 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.4 blocks

are exactly the opposite of Kessler's style. Although he is not good at outside shooting, Clarxton's athletic ability is quite good, which makes his role on the offensive end more prominently. This season, the Nets are also in a bad position. Clarkston can contribute 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.4 blocks. He can provide 3 screenings and assists in each offensive round. His cooperation with James Harden had already familiarized him with the pick-and-roll skills. Therefore, if he could be introduced, the Lakers would not have to worry about the chemistry between him and Doncic. On the defensive end, although the frame protection ability is not as good as Kessler, his flexible athletic ability allows Clarkston to quickly make up for defense from the inside to the outside, interfering with the data of three-point shooting 2.1 times per round, which is already a very impressive performance for a center. In addition, whether it is fighting for the frontcourt rebounds or protecting the backcourt rebounds, Clarkston has done a very good job. Therefore, Clarkston is also a good choice for the Lakers. Moreover, compared to Kessler, the cost of getting Clarkston is not too high, and the Nets themselves also want to send Clarkston away, so perhaps Clarkston's possibility of joining Los Angeles is greater than Kessler.

3. Brooke Lopez

This season's data: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks

. In the free market, the Bucks' past champion center was also the former All-Star insider, and Brooke Lopez also has the possibility of joining the Lakers. In fact, Lopez is also considered an old Lakers player, and he played for the Lakers briefly in the 17-18 season. This season, the 37-year-old veteran performed well in the regular season, with averaging 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks per game, with shooting and three-point shooting percentages reaching 50.9% and 37.3% respectively. The reason why the Lakers are interested in Daluo is mainly because they are attracted by his three-point shooting, with a total of 139 three-point shootings, and with considerable efficiency, even though Daluo is at the end of his career, he is still one of the few space-type centers in the NBA. Moreover, on the defensive end, he has a lot of experience, with 13.6 interfering shooting data, which is the best in the entire NBA. In addition, he is very good at pick-and-roll cooperation with the No. 1 position, Daluo is indeed very suitable for this Lakers system. But the problem now is that Daluo is too old and can easily be pulled out to "military training" by his opponent's defenders, and in this year's playoffs, his performance can only be described as bad. Therefore, how to avoid these problems of his is something that the Lakers need to think about. Otherwise, even if they introduce Daluo, if they are not solved during the playoffs, they still have a high probability of repeating the mistakes of this season.

4. Clint Capela

This season's data: 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1 block

In addition, in this year's free market, there is another center that deserves the attention of the team. He is Capela, who has played for the Rockets and the Hawks. Although he is 31 years old, Capela's condition is still good. With not much playing time this season, he still has 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1 block, and his shooting percentage has also reached 55.9%.. In the past few years, Capela has worked with many top defenders, whether it is James Harden, Chris Paul, or Trae Young. Even with different styles, Capela can adapt to the offensive requirements and form a good chemical reaction with them. Moreover, the Rockets' old fans also see his franchise protection and rebounding protection. Of course, more importantly, Capela, who is already a free agent, can get him as long as the contract given is reasonable, the Lakers do not have to spend a single soldier or a soldier. Therefore, if the above players cannot come to the Lakers one after another, Capela may also be a good choice.

5. Robert Williams

This season's data: 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.7 blocks

Finally, the Lakers reporter also gave a candidate, that is Trail Blazers' center Robert Williams. Rowe has been in the NBA for 7 years. During his time with the Celtics, he showed outstanding defensive ability. He once contributed 10 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.2 blocks in the 21-22 season. It is precisely because of this that he received a four-year, $54 million contract. Now he is only 27 years old and he must have the ability. But Rowe has a fatal problem, that is, his serious injury history. In the past three years, he has only played 61 games in total. He can be said to be an absolute glass man. This season, because of injuries, his average playing time has been reduced to 17.6 minutes. But even so, he still cannot avoid the risk of injury. In the end, he only played 20 games and was directly reimbursed. For the Lakers, the cost of getting Rowe is not too high. After all, with such a serious injury history, the Trail Blazers will not be too much. Therefore, it depends on whether the Lakers are willing to bet a big game. If he can fully recover his health, the inside of this Lakers will definitely be greatly improved.