"You need a lot of size": JJ Redick says the Lakers are on the lookout to add a 'big, bruising five man'
The LA Lakers have had an uneventful free agency, missing out on their targets, and new coach JJ Redick has openly addressed what their roster needs the most right now: a big man.
Last season, the Lakers lacked a reliable big man behind Anthony Davis, with their backups being Jaxson Hayes, who played 70 games and averaged 12.5 minutes per contest, and Christian Wood, who plays more like a stretch forward and is not a dominant interior presence, appearing in only 50 games.
In an interview with Justin Termine and Eddie Johnson on Sirius XM NBA Radio, JJ Redick stated that the Lakers want to add a physical center to the team:
"You certainly have to look at what I think is actually a very good roster, a very balanced roster. We’d love to, we tried, but we’d love to, at some point, get another five man, a big bruising five man," Redick said.
"You look at the Western Conference right now, whether it’s Denver, Minnesota, OKC with what they added, certainly Memphis, they’re going to be back in the hunt, they added Zach Edey, certain matchups in the playoffs, you’re going to need a lot of size."
The Lakers had aimed to add Jonas Valanciunas, who chose to sign with the Washington Wizards.
LeBron James commented on Valanciunas going to the Wizards instead of the Lakers, saying he was someone who had been in talks with the Lakers but noted, "it takes two to tango."
The center free-agent market has dried up, with remaining players including JaVale McGee, Tristan Thompson, Boban Marjanovic, Omer Yurtseven, Udoka Azubuike, Damian Jones and Bismack Biyombo.
The top free agents had been Nic Claxton, Isaiah Hartenstein and Valanciunas, all of whom signed contracts worth eight digits annually this offseason.
Looking at the Lakers’ free agency moves
During this free agency, the Lakers have made only minor adjustments to their roster, with the most notable moves being re-signing LeBron James, drafting his son Bronny, extending Max Christie and adding sharpshooter Dalton Knecht.
They have yet to secure a third star to pair with James and Anthony Davis to help the team advance beyond the first round of the playoffs.
The biggest changes occurred in their coaching staff, with new head coach JJ Redick joining the team.
He has brought in former NBA coaches Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks, as well as Lindsey Harding, who spent last season with the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League and won Coach of the Year, as assistants.