Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert may have given Lakers rude awakening that sparks major offseason move

The Minnesota Timberwolves, led by superstar guard Anthony Edwards, upset the Los Angeles Lakers in an intense yet swift five-game series.

While it was Edwards leading the charge most of the way, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was the reason for the improbable Game 5 victory. Minnesota's 23-year-old franchise cornerstone shot an abysmal 26.3% in Wednesday's game while missing all of his 11 three-point attempts.

Alternatively, Gobert dominated with 27 points. 24 rebounds and 2 blocks on 12 of 15 shooting in 39 minutes. The reason he was able to put up such an impressive stat line is because of the Lakers' lack of talent in the frontcourt. Not a single true center played for Los Angeles in Game 5, as LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jarred Vanderbilt split most of the duties.

Gobert's impressive offensive display to end the Lakers' season may be the spark needed for a major offseason move. If LeBron James intends on returning for at least one more year, general manager Rob Pelinka needs to find a true big man to play alongside James and Luka Doncic.

One option pitched by Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley is Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton.

"L.A.'s need for a new center is both obvious and enormous," Buckley began. "Once Anthony Davis skipped town, and the Mark Williams deal didn't happen, the Lakers were stuck relying on the unreliable Jaxson Hayes to man the middle."

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"That cannot be the case moving forward. And it shouldn't be since L.A. has enough trade chips to get a decent-or-better option at the 5 spot. Nic Claxton would be a tremendous get," Buckley wrote.

Whether it's Claxton or another center acquired through free agency, trade, or the NBA Draft, Gobert may have given the Lakers a much-needed rude awakening.

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