Lakers News: The Free Agent Center Los Angeles Must Avoid

LA is looking to fill out its roster with one more signing this summer.

Your Los Angeles Lakers have acknowledged that they remain hopeful that they can add one more center to their roster in free agency, ideally prior to the start of training camp.

While there are several enticing options who could still be available to be signed even at the veteran's minimum, there's one that LA should avoid at all costs: Nerlens Noel.

After not quite living up to the hype one would typically associate with being a No. 6 pick in the 2013 draft out of the University of Kentucky, Noel settled into a comfortable (and surprisingly lucrative) role as a rim-protecting backup big man on competitive teams in Dallas, Oklahoma City and New York. 

The bloom eventually came off the rose as injury problems piled up. He hasn't been a consistently used rotation player since the 2020-21 season.

Still just 29, there's a chance Noel may be able to contribute defensively in spot minutes behind high-upside reserve five Jaxson Hayes, and he could probably be had for a non-guaranteed deal given his availability concerns. But Los Angeles will probably have better options.

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