Anthony Davis prefers playing power forward alongside a strong big man.
In his first two years with the Lakers, Davis averaged 1.0 of 3.2 three-pointers per game and was a bigger threat driving to the basket. Since switching to center in the 2021-2022 season, his three-point attempts dropped significantly, making only .3 from 1.5 attempts per game. On defense, he now faces more pressure protecting the rim compared to when he played next to Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee during the Lakers’ 2020 championship run.
Analysts have been saying that AD should return to his natural position for quite some time . The Lakers seem to be listening.
Lakers’ Strategy:
During this year’s free-agency period, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that LeBron James was willing to take a pay cut to sign an established big man like Jonas Valanciunas. However, Valanciunas signed a three-year deal with the Wizards for $30 million because of player options exercised by other Lakers players.
Yet, insiders suggest Valanciunas might still join the Lakers later this year. On the “Hoops Collective” podcast, Brian Windhorst mentioned that the team would target Valanciunas when he becomes trade-eligible on December 15th.
“I wouldn’t rule out Jonas Valanciunas eventually ending up on the Lakers this year,” Windhorst said.
Fans think this could be exciting news for AD’s performance!
Windhorst also noted new head coach JJ Redick’s comments about wanting a “big, bruising center” on the roster. A frontcourt featuring both Valanciunas and Davis could be formidable and potentially solve their struggles against teams like the Nuggets.
Valanciunas is exactly what AD needsโa traditional big who can box out, rebound, set screens, and protect the rim effectively. This pairing might also counteract lineups like Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns from Timberwolves or OKCโs Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Could Valanciunas help Davis return to his prime form? What do you think?
