Given their success deploying Davis at center full-time last season, the Lakers’ interest in returning to their previous tactic [of moving Anthony Davis to power forward] is puzzling. Is there a way it could make sense? In short: No, there isn’t. But let’s dive further into it. Many of the reasons to deploy Davis at the four alongside another big do not hold water with this roster. Theoretically, two-center lineups give the Lakers more size on both ends, which helps with rebounding, rim protection and exploiting mismatches inside. Perhaps another big could handle most of the center assignments, allowing Davis to spend more time outside of the paint and endure less of a physical pounding. Maybe reducing Davis’ defensive workload will give him more energy to be a more consistent offensive player. -via The Athletic / August 3, 2023

Yet none of those factors have produced an overwhelmingly positive impact in the past. Even before last season, the numbers indicate shifting Davis to center and deploying LeBron James more as a power forward (and even a small-ball center at times) has benefited both superstars and the team as a whole. The sample sizes are relatively small, with so much year-over-year roster turnover and Davis’ injuries affecting a lot of this data, but the Lakers have been better with him at center in three of his four seasons. It’s often been their trump card late in games, including in the 2019-20 season, the very point of comparison for returning to the two-big approach. -via The Athletic / August 3, 2023

On top of that, Pelinka’s actions so far this summer have spoken louder than his words. The Lakers only have two traditional big men on the roster (three if you include two-way rookie Colin Castleton). Their big-man signings in free agency, or lack thereof, don’t align with the idea of using more two-big lineups next season. It’s tough to play two bigs together when they’re the only two you have. If the Lakers wanted a two-big build, they should’ve prioritized making a more significant trade on draft night and/or adding a better big with one of their two salary-cap exceptions instead of using them on a guard (Gabe Vincent) and wing (Taurean Prince). This current roster doesn’t align with their recent public messaging. -via The Athletic / August 3, 2023