The Los Angeles Lakers might look at Dwight Powell, a player who spent years as Luka Doncic’s teammate, as they try to add more depth to their frontcourt before training camp.
According to Khobi Price of the California Post, veteran center Dwight Powell is one of the most significant free agents still available for Los Angeles. After missing out on Jonathan Kuminga, who joined the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers still need help in the frontcourt and have few ways to improve their roster.
“The most significant option for the Lakers could be Dwight Powell, the 6-10, 35-year-old big man who was teammates with Doncic for 6 ½ seasons in Dallas. Notably, Powell has played the most games as a teammate alongside Doncic (389) among the 98 players Doncic has played alongside in his eight-year NBA career.”
The Lakers could try to make a trade, but they do not have many valuable draft picks, which makes it hard to get a deal done. This makes Powell an interesting option since getting him would not require any assets. He is also a veteran with extensive experience playing alongside the Lakers’ star.
Why Dwight Powell Makes Sense
Powell remains an unrestricted free agent after spending more than a decade with the Dallas Mavericks. The 35-year-old appeared in 63 games last season and has a connection with Doncic that few players around the league can match.
Powell has played in 389 games with Doncic, more than any of the 98 players who have been his teammates during Doncic’s NBA career.
Because of that familiarity, Powell could fit in well with the Lakers. Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney are already the main centers, so Powell would not need to take on a big scoring role. He could add experience off the bench and already knows how to play with Doncic.
Powell’s best season was in 2018-19, when he averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds and shot almost 60 percent from the field. That was also Doncic’s rookie year.
Potential Risks
There are drawbacks to adding Powell, however. At 35 years old, he is well removed from his most productive seasons and would offer the Lakers limited upside beyond providing veteran depth. Powell has never been a significant rim protector or floor spacer, which limits the different lineup combinations Los Angeles could use him in.
His familiarity with Doncic would help ease the transition, but at this stage of his career, Powell would be better viewed as insurance behind Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney rather than a player expected to meaningfully upgrade the Lakers’ rotation.
Lakers Have Limited Options
The Lakers could also look at trades, but their limited tradable draft picks make it hard to add a major player.
Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims and Chicago Bulls big man Jalen Smith are some possible trade targets. Sims would give the Lakers an athletic center who can run to the rim, while Smith can play both power forward and center and can shoot from outside.
There are even fewer choices in free agency. Besides Powell, Drew Eubanks, Bismack Biyombo, and Mason Plumlee are veteran centers who are still available.
With training camp coming up, the Lakers may not need to make a big move. Kessler and Looney already give them a solid group at center, but bringing in another veteran could give the coaches more options for the season.
Powell’s long history with Doncic makes him stand out. If the Lakers want another center, signing someone who has played more games with Doncic than anyone else could be an easy choice.
