Par Mathieu Seguin | Rédacteur sport
The Lakers are expected to be on the move this summer, with the arrival of one or two centers for the interior sector. A reinforcement on the wing can’t be ruled out either, and one insider confessed to having a preference regarding a target.
Because the Wolves easily dominated the racket and JJ Redick refused to trust Jaxson Hayes, it seems obvious that the Lakers need a true center for this summer. But with the possible departure of Hayes, a free agent this summer, Rob Pelinka will actually need two centers in the racket if he wants to have a solid rotation.
Suffice it to say that the GM won’t have time to be idle in the coming months, even if we still don’t know the name of the future recruit. Daniel Gafford, Nic Claxton or Mitchell Robinson: many names are being bandied about, but none of them stands out. We’ll know a lot more in June.
The Lakers’ suggested recruit in trouble
But it’s not just post 5 that poses a problem for the City of Angels. We can also expect some movement in other positions, for example on the wing. Pelinka confirms that he is looking for a defensive winger, and one name appeals strongly to Jovan Buha: Andrew Wiggins, currently with the Heat.
Wiggins was part of the Jimmy Butler trade in February and hasn’t totally convinced since arriving in Florida. He could very well be traded during the summer, especially as the Heat are preparing for some turmoil after another disappointing campaign. Buha thinks Wiggins is an interesting name, but that’s just his opinion.
Jovan Buha : “If the Lakers are looking to address the wing need on the trade market, (Andrew) Wiggins is a guy that I like a lot. And you can get there, probably with some base of Rui (Hachimura) plus matching salary. So I have not heard specifically Wiggins, but he is the type of target that would make sense for them.”
Averaging 19 points, Wiggins hasn’t been bad with the Heat, but he’s probably not untouchable if the right offer comes along. A good idea for the Lakers, even if Buha confirms that nothing is done at this stage and that it’s his opinion. It remains to be seen whether the Angelinos’ front office will hear about this.