Hassan Whiteside (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The LA Lakers have two positions of need that they need to fill out this offseason. They may have to concentrate on one of them.
With two young guards and a power forward comprising their young core, the Lakers need prime talent at the small forward and center positions. Last season, Kobe Bryant started at small forward and Roy Hibbert at center. Bryant retired and Hibbert is unlikely to be re-signed.
With the recent loss of the Golden State Warriors at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, one of the deciding factors was rebounding. The Cavs used had a lot of offensive rebounds and pounded the inside. With the Warriors missing their rim protector, center Andrew Bogut, the mighty 73-9 Warriors became vulnerable.
While athletic scorers and three-point shooters have become the new trend in the league, a rim protector is still a must. The LA Lakers were rumored to pursue a small forward first - Kevin Durant, Harrison Barnes and even DeMar DeRozan were at the top of their priority list. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, there should be another name there.
"There is a sense that Whiteside is one of the top names on the Lakers' wish list of free agents, with the Celtics also interested. The problem with trying to peg either as having some edge over the other neglects that Whiteside could be the most obtainable free agent in the class and likely gets a lot of interest beyond those two suitors."
The keyword there is obtainable and if the Heat does not decide on Whiteside promptly, the Lakers could take the opportunity.
There are many reasons for Whiteside to choose LA. While both Miami and Los Angeles are big markets, the Lakers still has the edge. Also, Whiteside plays behind established stars there. The Lakers could get a star in free agency, but he will be a new acquisition like Whiteside is.
There are rising stars on the Lakers roster and one of them is D'Angelo Russell. Lakers team site Silver Screen and Roll anticipated the possible tandem of Russell and Whiteside, who sought to improve his offense in the latter part of the season.
They also point out that Whiteside was already a fan of D-Loading's swagger.
I like this guy already
