The center is coming! 26-year-old Clarkston, is it suitable for the Lakers?

Everyone knows that the Lakers want center.

After being eliminated by the Timberwolves 1-4 in the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers' inside and body shape problems have been greatly amplified. In the coming summer, it is not a secret of the league.

However, from the perspective of the free market, there are not many high-quality centers that are truly suitable for the Lakers - the centers that can become complete free agents this summer include: Lopez, Capela, Turner, Reed, Adams, Horford, Drummond, Looney, Corinth, and Achouva.

The only ones above, only Turner and Reed's immediate combat power meet the Lakers' requirements. The others are either too old or too severely declined, but Turner and Reed have more possibilities to stay in the team. It is not realistic for the Lakers to pursue it with little space.

So for the Lakers, the more ideal method is to seek answers in the trading market. At present, the Lakers seem to have a goal.

According to Ricardo K Sandoval, a reporter from Sports Illustrated, the Lakers are expected to restart trading negotiations on Nets' inside Clarkston in the offseason. Strengthening the center is an important need for the Lakers. Pelinka will once again inquire about the 26-year-old Nets big man. The reason why

is called "restart" is because the Lakers had already pursued Clarkston once in February. Not long after the Doncic trade was reached, the Lakers asked the Nets about Clarkston.

Later, the Lakers turned around and reached a Magnificent deal with the Hornets, but unfortunately the deal failed because of Magnificent's physical examination problems - if Clarkston was the traded at that time, maybe how different the Lakers would be in the playoffs this year.

Of course, things that have been gone cannot be changed, and the focus is on the future: Is Clarkston really suitable for the Lakers?

Clarkston is 2.11 meters tall and has an arm span of 2.20 meters. He is a modern blue-collar insider with excellent athletic ability, strong cake eating ability, and can defend multiple positions. He has played around Durant, Irving and Harden, and has received very positive reviews.

However, objectively speaking, Clarkston's performance was not outstanding in the 2024-25 season that the Nets have passed.

He played in a total of 70 games for the Nets, averaging only 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks per game, and his shooting percentage was 56.3%.

Clarkston's highlights should have been efficiency and defense, but the 56.3% shooting percentage is really hard to say, and his performance on the defensive end is not good. He can only interfere with 12 shots per game, his opponent's shooting percentage has increased by 0.9%, and his 10-foot reserve requirement ratio reduction rate is only 2.8%.

This data is even worse: when Clarkston was on the court, the Nets lost 116.2 points in 100 rounds, and the net loss of opponents was 12.6 points. On the contrary, Clarkston was not on the court, the Nets lost 112.1 points in 100 rounds, and the net loss of opponents was 2.7 points, and the on/off value was as low as -9.9, which was quite explosive.

The reason for this situation may be two factors. One is that the Nets' goal is bad, and winning is not critical. The other is that Clarkston just signed a four-year, 97 million contract last summer, and his motivation is reduced. In addition, the Nets' environment is unable to play seriously.

Evaluating Clarkston's personal ability may be better if you look at it before renewal:

—2022-23 season, averaging 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocks per game, shooting percentage 70.5%, interfering with opponents' 15.9 shots, a reduction rate of 4.5%, and a reduction rate of 10 feet in the inside 8.4%

—2023-24 season, averaging 11.8 points, 9.9 baskets per game 2.1 blocks on the board, shooting percentage 62.9%, interfering with the opponent's 17.2 shots, a 2.0% reduction rate, and a 10-foot reserve requirement ratio of 6.4%

Judging from his performance before the contract renewal, Clarkston is indeed quite suitable for the offensive and defensive system mainly based on Doncic, and can eat cakes and protect the frame. The premise is that Clarkston did not lose motivation because he has renewed the contract. Otherwise, with his performance this season, it would be difficult to meet the expectations of Lakers fans.

It is worth mentioning that in February, some Lakers fans had imagined a trading plan for Clarkston - the Lakers gave Hachimura, Vincent, and the first round pick in 2031. It seems to be possible from a matching perspective, but this is just about the idea.

Personally, I think that the Lakers can indeed try Clarkston. On the one hand, his contract is not big, and on the other hand, his current trading value is at a low point due to his sluggish performance last season.

However, because the Lakers' needs are too clear, other teams will definitely speak out. It is probably difficult to only issue a first-round pick in 2031. Kneckett is almost bound to leave, and he may also have to send 1-2 first-round swaps.

In addition to Clarkston, the Lakers can actually consider other goals.

There are two ideal goals, one is Gafford of the Mavericks and the other is Kessler of the Jazz.

The former has been teammates with Doncic, and the Mavericks center has overflowed again. If Pelinka can give enough chips, Harrison might nod.

The latter is the Lakers who have been chasing for a season, but the Jazz don’t seem to be very willing to sell, and even if the Lakers can catch up, they must pay a lot of chips, which is definitely higher than Gafford and Clarkston.

The center signings this summer will be crucial to the Lakers. If it is appropriate, the Lakers' strength will be improved. If it is not suitable, it may waste another half or even a season..

In fact, the Mavericks have already shown the Lakers the best team building plan around Doncic. Pelinka only needs to copy it, it depends on whether he can give Doncic another "Lefley and Gafford".