When the offseason saw the Los Angeles Lakers address their void at center only by signing JaVale McGee and drafting Moritz Wagner, many wondered if it would become an area of weakness on the roster.
Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka pushed back on any concern, pointing to the team’s versatility and likelihood of Michael Beasley and Kyle Kuzma playing center in small-ball lineups.
That strategy didn’t prove to be effective, and as the Lakers faced a need down low, benefitted from the Phoenix Suns buying out Tyson Chandler from the final year of his contract.