The Los Angeles Lakers had a prime opportunity to upgrade their frontcourt depth on the buyout market, yet they inexplicably whiffed on adding a player who could help. Instead of making a serious push for the reigning FIBA World Cup champion, Daniel Theis, they settled for Alex Len. It was an uninspiring choice that raises questions about the front office’s decision-making process.
Daniel Theis has long been an underrated presence in the NBA. He’s a smart, switchable big man who plays elite positional defense, rebounds well, and spaces the floor better than most traditional centers. His contributions during Germany’s gold-medal run at the FIBA World Cup showcased his ability to thrive in high-stakes situations, making him an ideal target for a contending team like the Lakers.
Daniel Theis was perfect for the Lakers, but they blew it.
Rather than offering Theis a substantial role—perhaps even a starting spot—LA allowed Theis to walk away to AS Monaco, where he will reportedly have a larger role. That’s a huge blunder, considering their glaring need for a reliable big after trading Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić.
He might have personal and professional reasons to walk away to Europe, but at heart, he is a basketball player, and why would he reject a starting role for the Lakers, potentially competing for a chip?
The Lakers have no good option at center.
In place of Theis, the Lakers opted to sign Alex Len, a journeyman big who has struggled to carve out a significant role anywhere. While Len offers size and rim protection, he lacks the mobility, defensive versatility, and offensive skill set that Theis brings to the table. In a conference loaded with elite big men like Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Deandre Ayton, Len simply isn’t the answer.
With the recent addition of Luka Doncic, the Lakers should have prioritized chemistry and fit. Theis, a proven winner, and high-IQ player, would have been an ideal piece to fill the gap left by Anthony Davis. Instead, they passed on a player who could have provided valuable two-way impact in favor of a lesser alternative.
Another reason to not offer Theis a starting role was Jaxson Hayes. Given Hayes' rapport with Luka the Lakers poker, Luka will feed him with passes, and Hayes will grow into the role of a good center. Hayes was already injured last week, and the Lakers had an embarrassing loss against the Utah Jazz. Alex Len substituted Hayes and made no impact—the Lakers lost by 15.
Theis’ decision to sign with Monaco instead of joining the Lakers isn’t just a minor setback—it’s a reflection of LA’s lack of urgency in assembling the right pieces around their new superstar. While they still have time to make adjustments, passing on a high-level, championship-proven big man for a forgettable signing like Len feels like the first major mistake of the Luka Doncic era.
If the Lakers are serious about contending, they can’t afford to keep making decisions like this.