The Los Angeles Lakers are in a curious position this offseason: they’ve secured a star center but are still scrambling to fix the backup plan. It’s a paradox that speaks volumes about modern NBA roster-building. Walker Kessler is now their franchise anchor at center, but the reality is that one dominant player doesn’t make a dynasty. What makes this particularly fascinating is how the Lakers’ obsession with Kessler has exposed a glaring vulnerability—depth. I’ve seen teams overpay for a single stud before, but rarely do they ignore the safety net. The fact that they’re still shopping for a center suggests they’re not just cautious; they’re terrified of the ‘what if’ scenario where Kessler gets injured or underperforms. That’s not paranoia—it’s smart basketball, but it also reveals a deeper issue: the Lakers have become too reliant on individual stars rather than system-building.
Let’s talk about the roster math. They’ve signed Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili, but both are stopgaps at best. Looney, once a defensive anchor, is now a liability in the paint. Mamukelashvili can play the five, but his ceiling is murky. The Lakers have 16 players on their roster already, which means they’ll have to make brutal cuts before training camp. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about identity. If they trade for a center, they’ll likely have to send out multiple players, which could disrupt their current balance. Personally, I think this is a sign they’re prioritizing short-term stability over long-term vision. Why? Because the market for elite centers is barren. Bismack Biyombo is the only name that comes to mind, but he’s more of a veteran mentor than a game-changer. That’s not what the Lakers need—they need a player who can step in and not just survive, but thrive. What this really suggests is that the NBA’s center market is in a weird limbo. Teams are either overpaying for young talent (like Kessler) or settling for aging veterans. There’s a vacuum here that no one’s addressing.
Here’s the thing: the Lakers’ approach mirrors a broader trend in the league. Teams are increasingly gambling on a single star to carry them, but the math doesn’t add up. A detail that I find especially interesting is how the Lakers’ front office is treating Kessler like a fragile asset. They’re not just building around him—they’re insulating him. That’s not just about depth; it’s about ego. The Lakers have a history of overvaluing individual stars, and Kessler seems to be the latest casualty of that mindset. If you take a step back and think about it, this entire situation is a microcosm of the NBA’s current state. Teams are desperate for a ‘big man’ to anchor their defense, but the reality is that modern basketball doesn’t reward traditional centers. The three-point shot has rendered the old-school center obsolete, yet franchises still cling to the idea that a dominant rim-protector is essential. This raises a deeper question: are we still playing the same game, or has the sport evolved beyond the need for a ‘center’ in the traditional sense?
What many people don’t realize is that the Lakers’ obsession with Kessler might backfire. If they trade for another center, they risk diluting their roster further. Imagine a scenario where Kessler dominates the playoffs, but the backup struggles—how does that look to fans? It’s a high-stakes gamble. From my perspective, the Lakers would be wiser to invest in versatile big men who can stretch the floor rather than traditional post-up players. The future belongs to centers who can shoot, pass, and defend—players like Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic. But those names aren’t on the trade market. So what’s the alternative? The Lakers are stuck in a loop of panic, and that’s dangerous. A team that’s built around one player is always one injury away from collapse. This isn’t just about the center position—it’s about the entire philosophy of the franchise. If they can’t adapt, they’ll repeat the mistakes of the past, where a single superstar’s injury derailed a season. The real lesson here isn’t just about depth—it’s about understanding that in today’s NBA, no one player can carry a team. The Lakers need to stop acting like they’re still in the 2000s.
