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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Linked With Hawks' Big Man Onyeka Okongwu: "Lob Threat, Athleticism..."
The Los Angeles Lakers saw their season come to an end after a swift first-round exit, courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the loss may have been the key to triggering new growth, as it helped the team outline the necessary moves they needed to make in the offseason. The team's offseason plan was made abundantly clear during the team's last press conference of the season. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka highlighted their need for a big man, specifically an athletic big man who could be a defensive threat or a floor-spacing big. Advertisement While the player profile covers a vast spectrum, it is quite evident that the Lakers are looking for a player who can run the floor with their star, Luka Doncic. With this in mind, ESPN's Dave McMenamin appeared on "Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre" to reveal the kind of players who the Purple and Gold had shown an interest in. While referring to the team's links to Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams, McMenamin said: "I do know the Lakers made a call to the Hawks around the trade deadline about Okongwu. I think lob threat, athleticism, absolutely. In terms of being a perfect fit, maybe not. They might not get a perfect fit, though." Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu would make for an interesting pick-up if the Lakers choose to pursue it. The Hawks' center is only 24 years old and played in a total of 74 games last season. This kind of durability is appreciated for a Lakers team that had grown accustomed to having injury-prone big men grace the roster. Advertisement Okongwu notched a solid average of 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds on 56.7% shooting from the field. Although he doesn't boast as much defensive upside as Williams, he is an incredibly athletic center with a lot of potential to pair well with a playmaker in the pick-and-roll. The USC product has been on the receiving end of some great lobs by Hawks guard Trae Young. Given how effective Young is at facilitating easy baskets for rim-running bigs, it is quite evident that Doncic may be able to bring the most out of him as well. Being able to pair well with the Slovenian is a big parameter for the Lakers. This aspect has seen the team linked to several players, both in free agency as well as the trade market. From trade targets like Daniel Gafford and Nic Claxton to upcoming free agents like Clint Capela and Brook Lopez, the Purple and Gold have kept their radar open. Advertisement McMenamin also made an important addition to his statement by mentioning that the Lakers will have the taxpayer mid-level exception available to them. While it will be difficult for the Lakers to acquire a legitimate center under normal circumstances, there have been trade proposals that facilitate Capela joining them using it. Meanwhile, the Purple and Gold have also been included as part of some blockbuster deals involving some superstars. However, these ideas may not align with the team's offseason plans. Related: NBA Rumors: 4 Veterans The Lakers Could Acquire This Offseason
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
McMenamin: Lakers showed interest in trading for Hawks center
McMenamin: Lakers showed interest in trading for Hawks center The Los Angeles Lakers badly need a starting-caliber center, and they have been looking for help at that position for some time now. They lacked a legitimate backup behind Anthony Davis during Davis' last few seasons with them, and once he was sent away in the Luka Doncic deal, they suddenly had a Grand Canyon-sized hole at that position. They had to survive with Jaxson Hayes, who is thin as a reed and not a consistent defensive presence, as their only true 5 on a standard contract since acquiring Doncic. The Lakers did make a real effort to plug that hole, however. They tried to land rising Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, but that attempted trade was rescinded when he failed his physical. ESPN's Dave McMenamin said on 'Straight Fire' with Jason McIntyre that they also looked into trading for Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks. 'Before the Mark Williams trade, and I can't tell you all the names on that list but I actually assume he was one of the names on the list that Rob Pelinka presented to Luka because I do know the Lakers made a call to the Hawks around the trade deadline about Okongwu,' McMenamin said. Okungwu, 24, is 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, and he reportedly has a wingspan of 7-foot-2. The No. 6 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, he has been starting to emerge as an impact player over the last year or two. This season, he averaged 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 27.9 minutes a game. He's a good finisher around the rim and possesses strong athleticism, as well as a solid motor, especially on the boards. He will make $15 million next season, so he could be a relatively inexpensive get for Los Angeles, at least in terms of the players it would have to give up.
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL insider 'wouldn't put it against' Tyler Shough starting at QB for Saints in Week 1
NFL insider 'wouldn't put it against' Tyler Shough starting at QB for Saints in Week 1 The New Orleans Saints shocked a lot of people by picking Tyler Shough early in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, but not NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. Pelissero sat down with Jason McIntyre on the Straight Fire podcast to share his thoughts and what he's heard around the league on this year's quarterback class, including Shough. He pushed back on McIntyre's assertions that the Saints picking Shough was the worst QB move in the draft, and said that while Shough's age and extensive time in college stand out, they aren't necessarily bad things to NFL coaches. "This is one of the wildest stats in this draft," Pelissero said. "The first six years of Tyler Shough's college career, he never played more than seven games in any of those seasons. Perpetually he was a backup for two years, he had the COVID season at Oregon where he did lead them to a conference title, he had three years at Texas Tech (and) got hurt at all of them, then goes to Louisville, puts it together, and has a pretty good season." He added that coaches were impressed by Shough's performance on the white board and in the film room throughout the pre-draft process, where he expressed familiarity with concepts he'd run before at Oregon or Texas Tech. All told, Shough threw 951 passes across 42 games between his stops at three different schools, but evaluating his game tape is kind of difficult. Pelissero added that he developed some bad habits and shakiness under pressure that wasn't there before he suffered a series of injuries. If he can overcome that, he just might be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Pelissero continued: "I've talked to several who have said this: There's a little bit of flinch with him, do you worry? Is he shying away from contact, trying not to get hit because he's been hurt so much? That's the number one drawback with Tyler Shough. But he's your classic, efficient, smart guy who knows a lot about offense. He's arguably the guy who's most ready to step in and play right now. Depending on what happens with Derek Carr in New Orleans, you could end up have a Tyler Shough competition with Spencer Rattler in New Orleans, and I wouldn't put it against Tyler Shough to be the 2025 Week 1 starter for the Saints." It sure feels like Carr's time in New Orleans has run its course, even if it's his mysterious shoulder injury keeping him out of football this season (which, at the time of writing, is not a sure thing). If the Saints view Shough as a bridge to Kellen Moore's long-term starter, it just might work out. Maybe the rookie surprises us and plays well enough to hold the job himself. We'll find out in just a few short months.
