NBA expert Bill Simmons issued a concerning warning to the Los Angeles Lakers with the postseason right around the corner.
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka faced a lot of criticism over the last couple of years due to his failure to create a championship-contending roster around LeBron James.
However, Pelinka has finally made multiple moves this season to improve the roster, with the most major move being acquiring Luka Doncic in a shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers almost traded for Charlotte Hornets’ Mark Williams before backing away from the move due to health concerns around the center.
Ever since the Lakers vetoed the trade, the organization has faced mixed reactions from fans. One section believes the Purple and Gold did the right thing after canceling the trade, while others feel the franchise will regret its actions come playoff time.
Well, NBA expert Bill Simmons falls into the latter category as he discussed it on the latest episode of his podcast via YouTube.
“The Mark Williams trade, when you have Luka [Doncic] and you have this chance in the West…
“For the Lakers to do that trade and then to back out of it, and then just kind of get nothing, and now it’s unquestionably gonna haunt them in the playoffs that they don’t have a center.”
Although the modern era focuses more on three-point shooting, the requirement of a great center come playoff time can never be underestimated.
After the rescinded Williams trade, the Lakers have essentially been left with Jaxson Hayes as their starting center.
Hayes has improved a lot since getting increased minutes in the new system under head coach JJ Redick. Still, there remains a concern about whether Hayes is up to the task of being the primary center on a contending team.
Even if this strategy fails, coach Redick is somewhat prepared for it. After all, Redick has tried a small-ball lineup in multiple games this season.
Despite this doubt over the team’s starting center, the Lakers have managed to reach a 48-30 record as they continue to fight for the third seed in the conference.
The Lakers also kept hold of Dalton Knecht as part of the trade, and JJ Redick believes he can help the team win ‘multiple playoff games’.
