At the start of the 2018-2019 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers were spending less money on the center position than any other team in the league.
It was surprising the franchise that featured George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal was suddenly comfortable rolling with JaVale McGee and Ivica Zubac as their only traditional centers on the roster.
The Lakers were convinced they could use Kyle Kuzma or Michael Beasley as small-ball centers, just as they had done with Julius Randle the season before. Former head coach Luke Walton and his coaching staff quickly discovered the points Kuzma was giving up on the defensive end weren’t being negated by the extra floor spacing and speed they had when going small — and the plan was scrapped.