With the Detroit Pistons waiving Dewayne Dedmon, the Los Angeles Lakers suddenly have an opportunity to complete their transition from traditional back-to-the-basket centers by signing their second modern stretch center.
The biggest strategic move Rob Pelinka made during the offseason was the decision to dump traditional back-to-the-basket centers Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee and replace them with modern stretch five Marc Gasol. Signing Dedmon to backup Marc Gasol would be the pièce de résistance to Rob Pelinka’s masterpiece upgrade of the Lakers championship roster, completing the team’s transition from dinosaur bigs to modern centers.
The Lakers abandoning the Howard and McGee tandem that had been a trademark element in their championship run was a harsh reminder of how the value of traditional back-to-the-basket centers continues to plummet. The Lakers not only politely declined Howard’s embarrassing acceptance of a contract never offered but also gave the Cleveland Cavaliers one of their few remaining second round picks just to take McGee off their hands.
The Lakers still need another modern center who can stretch the floor on offense and protect the rim on defense and Dewayne Dedmon desperately needs an opportunity to resurrect his career after a disastrous last season. Backing up Gasol will give Dedmon a chance to showcase his abilities and bounce back after being waived and stretched by the Pistons. Dewayne is the perfect fit for the Lakers and they are the perfect fit for him at this time.
Right now, Marc Gasol is really the only true center on the Lakers’ roster because Anthony Davis prefers to play power forward most of the time and Montrezl Harrell is best suited to play power forward next to a stretch five. Pairing Gasol and Dedmon would let the Lakers replicate the center rotation that worked so well with McGee and Howard last season but this time with a tandem of modern stretch fives instead of traditional low post centers.
Adding Dedmon would also give the Lakers another stretch center who can protect the rim to unleash Montrezl Harrell, a high powered dynamic scorer who clearly needs to play next to a modern offensive and defensive center. The 31-year old Dedmon would also give the Lakers important depth to allow Anthony Davis to rest more during the grind of the regular season and protection in case the 35-year old Marc Gasol were to get injured.
At 7′ 0,” 245 lbs, Dewayne Dedmon averaged 10.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game while shooting 49.2% from the field, 38.2% from deep, and 81.4% from the line two years ago with the Hawks. Dedmon’s exactly what the Lakers need to balance their roster and he’s healthy and available now for the veteran’s minimum salary. Rob should pick up the phone and offer Dewayne a chance to join the purple and gold.
Playing 18 to 20 minutes per game for the high profile champion Los Angeles Lakers is exactly the opportunity Dewayne Dedmon needs to erase the bad taste of getting waived and change the direction of his career.
Seriously, can the Lakers really get better than they already are? Do they really have any unfulfilled needs? The answer to both questions is an unqualified YES.
Our biggest need, which is really not up for debate, is a second center who can shoot from deep and protect the rim to give us along with Gasol a modern version of McGee and Howard, which was a formula that worked well for us last season until we got into the playoffs where our centers became unplayable.
The timing of the Pistons waiving and stretching Dewayne Dedmon could not have been better as the Lakers are reportedly looking for another center, which is an admission from the Lakers that they view Montrezl Harrell as a power forward and not a center. That means Gasol is really our only full-time center and we know Frank likes his bigs. Enter Dewayne Dedmon.
I keep reading that Dedmon, like Cousins, might not want to join the Lakers because of lack of playing time. I don’t think that is true, especially considering Davis is likely to play lessor minutes this regular season than last. McGee and Howard avenged 36 minutes per game last year. Gasol averaged 26 minutes per game with the Raptors. I think the Lakers might have a combined 40 minutes per game for a Gasol and Dedmon tandem, maybe 18 to 20 minutes per game for each.
And there’s no bigger stage for Dewayne to resurrect his career than playing for the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a match made in heaven and would make the Lakers even better. No other team can offer Dedmon what the Lakers can.