Former LA Lakers star Michael Cooper has argued that the team’s roster is not as bad as made out.
The LA Lakers‘ postseason fell flat with a 4-1 series defeat in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
General manager Rob Pelinka came out after Lakers elimination to confirm the team would be looking to add size this offseason, with the lack of centers on the roster exposing them in the playoffs.
A number of players have been linked as trade targets, with Nicolas Claxton on the Nets one of the options, while there has even been wild speculation about Joel Embiid.
None of this may be needed, Lakers legend Michael Cooper claims.
Michael Cooper had his jersey retired by the LA Lakers this past season and he pays close attention to their situation.
He believes in JJ Redick and his staff’s ability to improve players, and he believes the head coach will be better after his first year on the job.
Cooper told CLNS the players must step up and show a better defensive effort.
He said: “For the Lakers to be a better defensive team next year, that don’t mean everybody has to be a good defensive player, but everybody gotta make the effort on the defensive end.
“LeBron held his own. I think it was a lacking of everybody. Luka wasn’t in the best of shape, so his movement was a little slow. Reaves worked hard at it.
“It just looked like they were just trying to stay in front of people. Now in the NBA you got to force certain people a certain way. You got to do certain things to one of the best.
“I think the Lakers will solve that problem and that they will come out with a better mindset.”
Michael Cooper highlighted three LA Lakers players he believes could play a bigger role, if they are retained in the offseason and showed greater trust.
He believes Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber are all capable of contributing to the team’s success.
He said: “The trend of the NBA now, you look at the two teams that are playing, the kid Myles for Indiana, Myles Turner is not a shot blocking center. He’s a more versatile center. You look at what OKC is playing with Hartenstein and the other big kid, most kids will block shots, but you have to look, they’re not like the prototypical center.
“So the Lakers can get away with Hayes if they keep him. Vanderbilt playing big, Maxi Kleber.
“I think those players are the type of new NBA center. So, once the Lakers get their philosophy down on defense, what they want to do with certain teams and you can’t play everything the same way, the Lakers are going to be good man and they’re going to win a championship.”
While Hall of Famer Michael Cooper is right to point out the impact coaching could have on the team’s performance, there is also a lack of trust in the trio he mentioned.
Jaxson Hayes was barely used in the Lakers’ playoff series, dropped from the Game 5 defeat against the Timberwolves. This has reduced his value heading into free agency, but Redick was quite happy to play without him. He averaged just 7.8 minutes per game across four appearances.
Vanderbilt averaged 12.0 minutes per game, snubbed for the entire second half in Game 4.
Maxi Kleber spent most of the series injured before his surprise appearance in Game 5, and it’s unclear where his future lies. But it’s unlikely to be as a regular center.
The Lakers simply must recruit in the offseason and improve their roster.
