Los Angeles Lakers: Early predictions for the 2018-19 starters, depth chart
Center
- JaVale McGee
- Ivica Zubac
- Jeff Ayres (two-way)
Honestly, I don’t think this is a winning recipe. Maybe going all the way isn’t the Lakers’ plan for 2018-19, and that’s fine. However, if they think rolling into the regular season with JaVale McGee and Ivica Zubac as their top centers is wise, problems are going to arise.
The only way I can try to justify this is if they also plan on deploying LeBron at the 5. It’s a distinct possibility, as Hoops Habit‘s own Michael Dugger recently spelled out. Even then, that’s only going to work so much of the time. Plus, do you really want the best player in the world at center?
I suggested the idea of using the room exception to sign a veteran such as Jahlil Okafor or Greg Monroe. Okafor is a shot in the dark, while Monroe is an under-appreciated veteran, but both would bring valuable talent and experience to the center position. For now, though, it looks like Magic Johnson is content to stand pat and see how the current roster progresses.
Unless someone is signed, McGee and Zubac are the guys. It’ll be interesting to see if another NBA offseason can finally unlock some of the upside the youngster possesses. More than likely though, it’ll be McGee who earns the starting role while Zubac anchors the second unit.
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Jeff Ayres looked great during Summer League, putting his well-rounded game, toughness and dominant presence in the paint on display. Although I don’t see him spending much time in the NBA, he’s earned the right to a two-way contract. Let him feast in the G League with the potential to earn a role in 2019-20.