The Los Angeles Lakers have a growing list of needs at the center position. From a starting 5 to an ideal backup to a rim-running presence who can complement Luka Doncic, the voids that the Lakers must fill are seemingly growing by the day.
If there's one non-negotiable that simply must be added to the list, however, it's finding a player who can help Los Angeles create second chances.
There's no way around how dire the need is for the Lakers to acquire at least one high-level center this summer. As it stands, the only players who are under contract at the position are Trey Jemison III and Maxi Kleber.
Neither player should be written off, but there's reason for skepticism when depending on Jemison, who's on a two-way contract, and Kleber, who has missed 127 games over the past three seasons.
As such, no matter how much faith Los Angeles has in them, the need for improvement at center remains. The Mark Williams trade fell through, Anthony Davis was sent to the Dallas Mavericks, and Jaxson Hayes will be an unrestricted free agent.
Thankfully for the Lakers, their specialized needs can be answered through the [trade market and free agency](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-free-agency-fix-at-center-could-come-from-trusted-veteran-option)—so long as they prioritize offensive rebounding.
Lakers need a center who can address offensive rebounding woes
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Los Angeles finished the 2024-25 regular season ranked No. 23 in offensive rebounding percentage and 27 in offensive rebounds. It was also 27th in contested offensive rebounds, which epitomizes its primary flaw in the rebounding department.
The Lakers have a cast of players who can corner crash and outpace opponents to long rebounds, but they lack a box-out style of big who can generate second chances in traffic.
It's worth noting that Los Angeles ranked No. 9 in defensive box outs in 2024-25, which speaks to a fundamental discipline worth praising. Unfortunately, it was No. 23 in offensive box outs, revealing the exact hurdle standing in their way.
Los Angeles is admittedly a strong offensive team, ranking No. 7 in true shooting percentage, No. 8 in eFG%, and No. 11 in offensive rating in 2024-25, but it must figure out how to extend possessions.
Perhaps the answer lies with [approaching free agents who specialize in offensive rebounding](https://lakeshowlife.com/steven-adams-extension-quietly-created-lakers-nightmare). Clint Capela is an example of an available player who excels in that area, with a ranking of No. 10 amongst those who appeared in at least 50 games in offensive rebounding percentage.
Day'Ron Sharpe is another free agent who ranked in the top 10 in that statistic, while productive rebounders such as Walker Kessler and Nick Richards could be accessible via trade.
Regardless of how it happens, the Lakers need to find players who can win the battle on the boards. Defense and value in the pick and roll may take precedence, but the perfect result for Los Angeles would be an opportunity to give its potentially elite offense a new source of reliability.
The path to improvement remains unclear, but the Lakers know exactly what they need to find in their new centers.