You’d think that the Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka would be sleeping well after the Luka Doncic trade. But despite shocking the world by bringing the Luka Magic to the Crypto.com Arena, there’s a gaping hole left in their team he still hasn’t dealt with- and that’s the center. The Doncic trade involved Lakers’ longstanding center Anthony Davis going the other way to the Mavs, which prompted Pelinka to look for options in the buy-out market.

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The name on top of their list was Daniel Theis- well, this was before he decided to exit the NBA, signing for AS Monaco of the LNB Élite. The German veteran has been in the NBA for the best part of 8 seasons. After excelling in the Basketball Bundesliga for 7 years, he got drafted by the Celtics in 2017. He ended up playing for the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans. Soon after, he realized his true talent and potential in search of a team that could guarantee him a key role. This prompted him to switch to the Monegasque team, much to the dismay of Pelinka. But the NBA exit clause he has in his current multi-year deal might be a sign that he’s not finished with business in the Association just yet.

The link-up between Doncic and LeBron James will be a sight to see for sure, but that’s just in the offense. Pelinka has long recognized that a stable, defensive-minded center would be essential for a championship-caliber team. According to ESPN sources, the Lakers’ front staff is actively searching the trade market and free agency for a center who suits their defensive style. They’re sitting 4th in the league- but even a millisecond of complacency can prove to be vital for the Cali team. This means that they’re not only looking for the aforementioned qualities but someone who can integrate well into the team immediately and take some pressure of the likes of El Matador and the King.

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Their defense has been a recurring issue for Pelinka. Currently, they’re operating with a ‘if the right offer comes, we act’ strategy, which has been speculative on the media front. The next few days will be monumental for them- as it can make or break their season. Amid it all, they have an announcement to make about the return of an old player.

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Poll of the day

Poll 1 of 5

Is Rob Pelinka’s decision to trade for Luka Doncic worth the risk of leaving the Lakers without a solid center?

Yes, Doncic is a game-changer

No, they need a strong center

It’s too early to tell

The Lakers will adapt

Absolutely, he’s the King

Luka should take the reins

They should share leadership

Time for a new leader

Want to dive deeper?

Here are the articles that inspired recent polls.

Lakers announce Stanley Johnson’s arrival from Turkey

Despite leaving the NBA earlier this season, American forward Stanley Johnson has been a bit of a forgotten man in the world of basketball. His CV looks more impressive than reality, as he’s shifted more teams than years he’s been a professional ball player. Now in his 12th team, he’s just signed for the South Bay Lakers, the G-League affiliate of the Lakers after leaving Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

His career in Europe didn’t pan out as hoped. After playing 17 games in the EuroLeague, he averaged a measly 1.9 points and 1.1 rebounds for the Turkish team. It doesn’t seem like it, but the 28-year-old is a bit of a veteran in the Association. After being drafted as the 8th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Pistons, he went on to record 449 games for the Pelicans, Raptors, Lakers, and Spurs. But despite being one of the most hotly tipped collegiate youngsters, he could only average 6.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The journeyman was once destined for greatness- a dream he’s looking to fulfill in his return to the States.

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Despite the historic Doncic trade, Rob Pelinka’s trade season has been one with mixed feelings. They did pull off one of the biggest coups the world of sports has ever seen, but their inability to land Daniel Theis leaves a huge gap in the center. Signing Stanley Johnson doesn’t seem to suit their requirements for now- it seems to be more of a long-term prospect. But the upcoming days will be exciting for Lakers fans- as their hunt for a center still goes on.

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