Lakers Might Add Undersized Power Forward To Address Frontcourt Concerns
The Los Angeles Lakers may consider signing veteran forward P.J. Tucker through the buyout market to strengthen their frontcourt depth, though at 38 years old, doubts remain about his potential impact. Recently waived by the Toronto Raptors, Tucker has faced difficulties with both playing time and production in recent seasons.
Last year, he posted a mere 1.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game over 31 appearances. Despite these modest numbers, the Lakers might value his defensive skills and experience, particularly with their recent improvements on that side of the court.
Since January 15th, the Lakers have been the NBA’s top defensive team, and their intensity has only increased after the All-Star break. Signing Tucker may not completely solve their frontcourt issues, as he is undersized for a power forward and lacks significant offensive upside.
Unlike traditional big men, he’s not a lob threat and does not offer much-needed size or rim protection. However, he brings toughness, defensive flexibility, and veteran leadership to the table. If utilized in short bursts—around 10-12 minutes per game—Tucker could offer crucial rest for key players while maintaining defensive consistency.
The main concern with Tucker is his declining offensive game. Known for his ability to hit corner threes in his prime, his shooting has decreased in recent years. If he can recover even a small part of that form, he might offer occasional outside shooting for the Lakers. However, at his age, it’s uncertain whether he can remain a reliable floor-spacer in high-stakes situations.
A key factor is whether Tucker would be motivated to join the Lakers at this stage in his career. After several seasons of moving around the league, he may be seeking a situation where he has a clear role on a contending team.
For the Lakers, any move now is about fine-tuning their roster for the playoffs. The addition of Luka Doncic has given them a new offensive identity, but they still need to shore up their frontcourt for a deep postseason run.
Although Tucker is no longer the impactful role player he once was, his defensive mindset and ability to battle against bigger opponents could still prove valuable in specific matchups.
In the end, signing Tucker would be a low-risk move that could provide help in particular situations, but it’s unlikely to be a game-changer. If he can contribute solid minutes and occasionally knock down an open three, it would be a bonus for the Lakers in their quest for a deep playoff run.
However, given his age and recent drop in production, the Lakers might opt to seek other frontcourt options as they approach the season’s final stretch.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick watches from the sideline during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.