The Los Angeles Lakers have a crucial offseason ahead with plenty of money to spend in free agency. One key area for the Lakers to address is the center position, which has been occupied by the likes of Roy Hibbert, Robert Sacre, and Tarik Black over the last several seasons. Hibbert, the team’s starting center this past season, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Golden State Warriors big man Festus Ezeli will be a restricted free agent, and the Lakers have plans to pursue him.
From Sean Deveney of Sporting News:
The Lakers, a source said, will have interest in Ezeli, seeing his size and rim-protecting defense as an ideal complement to forward Julius Randle. L.A., of course, just hired Warriors assistant Luke Walton to be its coach. Ezeli had the best months of his career in November and December, with Walton filling in while Kerr recovered from back surgery, and before Ezeli’s knee injury.
Ezeli has shown tremendous growth and potential in Golden State, who drafted him 30th overall in 2012. He came up huge for the Warriors during their title run last season. Serving as one of the team’s four lucrative options at center, Ezeli has proven to be a highly serviceable, trustworthy option on both ends of the floor.
While Ezeli isn’t necessarily the star-studded, Hall of Fame caliber big man consistent with Laker history, he’s shown true value as a productive anchor. The Warriors may be inclined to match any offers for Ezeli, as he could be slated to be the next starting center when Andrew Bogut’s contract expires after next season, but if the Lakers are serious enough about him they could make an offer the Warriors won’t or can’t match.
