James Worthy: Lakers Must Shore Up Center Position

Andre Drummond is a free agent and Marc Gasol has a nonguaranteed deal, leaving the Lakers with questions at the center spot. So it makes sense that Lakers legend James Worthy cited that as one of the team’s most pressing offseason needs.

“I do believe there’s a little bit of areas of concern at the center position,” Worthy said on Spectrum Sportsnet, via TalkBasket. “I know Drummond is massive 20-20 guy. I saw some good stuff. I didn’t see that dominance or that efficiency that I thought we were going to see.”

Worthy added that the Lakers could use someone to protect the basket.

“I love Marc Gasol as a backup center. Even when he was starting,” Worthy said. “When Drummond first came here I said, ‘He’s got to earn that, he’s got to earn that spot.’ I thought Marc Gasol for what he does for this team he’s got a good chance. We really missed Dwight Howard, we really missed (JaVale) McGee. Shot-blocking, rim protection wasn’t there as much as I thought it would be.”

With multiple aches and pains suffered by stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers were bounced in the first-round of the playoffs. And along with a tune-up in the pivot, Worthy said LA needs to find a little more consistency on the perimeter.

“That’s the frustrating thing knowing that they can shoot. When (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is) in that corner knocking down shots, it’s always a good thing,” he said. “I think even (Alex) Caruso improved his shooting from outside. There were good signs of (Wesley) Matthews from time to time.

“So we know if the offense is flowing correctly and they’re healthy and everybody’s on the floor, when AD’s in there to join the double-teams, LeBron is collapsing defense, they shoot well. But they really need to really answer that ’cause they didn’t do as well as they should have. I know they had some guys out, injuries, stuff like that. But still 3-point shooting is something they need.”

.@JamesWorthy42, @Mike_Bresnahan & @geeter3 share their thoughts on the #Lakers top priorities going into this off-season. ? pic.twitter.com/VIHxP4WhVH

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) July 2, 2021