KEY POINTS

  • Marc Gasol may be the lone center left on the Lakers’ roster after the offseason
  • Gasol holds a guaranteed deal with the Lakers next season
  • Drummond and Harrell are expected to get better offers from other teams

The Los Angeles Lakers need to figure out who among their big men are staying this offseason.

But if one looks closely, they may be left with only Marc Gasol with speculations ripe that Andre Drummond and Montrezl Harrell are likely to depart due to financial implication.

Drummond and Harrell are fully aware they can get better deals in the NBA free-agent market this summer.

Of the two, Drummond was viewed as one of the players the Lakers consider to be part of their future plan.

It remains to be seen how general manager Rob Pelinka can make that work. Worth considering here is that the 6-foot-10 player hardly made his presence felt and struggled when he joined the franchise via the buyout market.

Harrell could be gone as well. Considering he hardly got the same playing time and provided the same level of efficiency with the Los Angeles Clippers, the 27-year-old is likely to listen to offers from other clubs that will likely be a whole lot better.

If not, a trade scenario could see the 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year changing zip codes.

With Drummond and Harrell possibly walking, all eyes will be on Gasol. The aging Spaniard did not get to see much action although his efficiency rating shows he was playing it wisely each time he took the floor.

Gasol holds a fully-guaranteed contract next NBA season, and the Lakers are unlikely to just throw him away.

Trading him could be an option, but the chances of getting a quality player are not looking bright.

Gasol, despite his age, is still seen as someone who can contribute if given the chance.

One person who feels he should be given a chance is Toronto Raptors superfan, Nav Bhatia.

Bhatia believes Gasol has at least one year left in him during an exclusive interview with Vincent Juico and Brian Yalung on Sports For All PH earlier this month.

Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers Getty images | Tim Nwachukwu

“He doesn’t have 'I' in him, he has 'we' in him. He is always a team guy. Maybe another year or so. He is playing very minimal minutes right now. But you know he can still shoot those three-pointers,” Bhatia stated.

If Gasol becomes the lone center left in Los Angeles, Anthony Davis may have to step up and play the middle.

In a previous post, Earvin “Magic” Johnson stressed that “The Brow” needs to play the center position if the Lakers want to win.

RELATED STORIES