Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis recently shared his thoughts on the team’s roster, emphasizing the need for another big man to allow him to play power forward more consistently.
Davis, who has primarily played center since 2021, noted that having another big would help him be more effective on both ends of the court. He mentioned that defensively, a second big would create more disruption, while offensively, it would give him more freedom to operate.
“I only started playing the 5 in 2021. I’ll have stretches but I was primarily 4. My whole career I’ve been playing 4,” Davis explained after the Lakers’ win over the Boston Celtics. “The front office knows that, I told them that every year I’ve been here… I feel like personally I’m a better player at the 4.”
Davis’ postgame comments echo his remarks in a recent interview with NBA insider Shams Charania. “One, we want to win it for the city. Two, we never got a parade. Three, it’s a lot of talk about an asterisk … We are (1-2 pieces away). I really feel like we are,” he said.
The Lakers have reportedly been eyeing Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas since last summer. However, recent reports suggest a shift in the team’s focus. Despite that, Davis’ comments suggest the Lakers are still in need of another center to balance the roster.
The Lakers’ recent performance against the Celtics on Thursday night highlighted their depth. Davis led the team with 24 points, followed closely by Austin Reaves, who chipped in 23 points. Los Angeles dominated the Celtics 117-96 at Crypto.com Arena, improving their record to 24-18 on the season.
LeBron James also made his mark with 20 points and 14 rebounds, surpassing Hakeem Olajuwon for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time defensive rebound list. The 40-year-old’s consistent play continues to prove he remains one of the league’s most valuable players.
The Lakers’ shooting was on fire, hitting a season-high 11 three-pointers in the first half. Los Angeles ended the game with a 47.2% shooting percentage from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc.
While the Celtics struggled offensively, shooting just 38.5% from the field, Kristaps Porzingis kept them in the game with 22 points. Jaylen Brown added 17, and Jayson Tatum contributed 16, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ efficiency.
Fatigue seemed to play a role for Boston, which was on the back end of a tough stretch of games. The Celtics were playing their third game in four days after an overtime win against the Clippers.
Looking ahead, Davis’ comments about needing another big man may push the Lakers’ front office to continue exploring trade options. With the team excelling in areas such as rebounding and playmaking, adding depth in the frontcourt could elevate their championship aspirations even further.
