Lakers predicted to target surprise breakout 76ers player in free agency

The Los Angeles Lakers were embarrassed in their first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Among the most glaring reasons for this was their lack of frontcourt depth after trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. Following their humiliation, the Lakers will prowl for more help.

One possible option they may look into is Philadelphia 76ers' free agent big man Guerschon Yabusele. PhillyVoice’s Adam Aaronson wrote why the Lakers would want frontcourt help and why Yabusele would be their target.

“I would say the Lakers' upcoming pursuit of interior help after their five-game loss to Minnesota in the first round is a poorly kept secret,” Aaronson wrote. “…they will almost certainly be adding multiple bigs this summer, and stretch bigs like Yabusele have historically thrived when spacing the floor for LeBron James.”

Yabusele thrived with the Sixers. In his first year back in the NBA since 2019, he averaged 11 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 50.1% and 38% from three. He played well enough that re-signing him is a no-brainer for the Sixers as long as the cost is reasonable.

The Lakers’ potential pitch to Yabusele would not just be the lure of playing in Hollywood but also that he would be playing next to LeBron James and Doncic, who could make him stand out even more than he has for the past season with the Sixers. However, it’s also likely the Lakers could try to pitch that to higher-profile big men first before Yabusele.

It wouldn’t be the end of the world if Yabusele left the Sixers, but the team is better off keeping him than letting him walk.

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