The big fish in the free market surfaced, the Lakers Warriors have not taken action for a long time, the center s shortcomings may become a hidden danger

On July 2, 2025, the free market has just opened for 48 hours, and most teams have quickly completed the reinforcement of key positions. The Grizzlies renewed their contract with three people in one go, the Thunder used their super maximum salary to lock the star Shay, and the Bucks even "break their arms out of their hands", cutting Lillard for Turner, and filling in the inside.

In contrast, the two traditional giants - the Lakers and the Warriors - actually "still moving", contrary to the strong style of previous years in the free market. Especially in the strengthening of the center position, the weaknesses have gradually been revealed. There are fewer and fewer "big fish" in the market, and the Lakers and Warriors have not taken action yet, and the time and space for them are left to be tighter.

Currently in the free market, there are experienced veterans such as Lillard, Paul, Brogdon, Westbrook, and others on the back line, as well as potential stocks such as Cameron Thomas and Grimes. But most of them are not the reinforcement focus urgently needed by the Lakers and Warriors. After all, the backcourt rotation of the two teams has become saturated. The core of the

problem lies in the inside line.

The Lakers' center position is currently only Davis, and almost no one is available on the bench. It was not easy for Davis to play a healthy season last season, but it was tantamount to gambling to rely on him to support the whole game alone. Howard and McGee are no longer the same as before. The Lakers now don’t even have a qualified pie-type center.

Not to mention who the opponent you are facing in the West. Jokic, Ayton, Jaren Jr., Turner... Who isn't a "big killer weapon" that can protect the frame and cover it? If the Lakers want to go further in the playoffs, the weak center rotation will undoubtedly become a fatal hidden danger.

And the situation on the Warriors is not optimistic. No matter how tough Green is, he is not a pure center. Although Looney has worked hard over the years, his height, mobility and athletic ability have declined seriously. Among the big guys in the free market today, Ayton, Horford, Wagner, and Bolpol have not signed contracts. If the Warriors do not move, they may have to get a bargain or even not.

Especially, after being bought out by the Trail Blazers, Ayton is still at the first-class level of age (26 years old), basic data (14+10+1 blocked). For the Lakers or the Warriors, it would be a very cost-effective operation if they could sign Ayton with a middle-class or slightly higher short contract.

Although Bolboer and Isaiah Jackson have a little less stability, their importance lies in their youth and strong plasticity, and it is not necessary to fill in the rotation. Although Horford is old, his playoff experience, three-point ability and high-level support can still play a key role in a specific time.

The free market is a "Quick Shou game". If you don't take action when it's time, you will likely be the first to be a decisive team.

Look at the Bucks, they cut Lillardten's space while locking in Turner with a high salary, and then replenished a group of players like Portis, Porter Jr., Harris and other players. The entire operation process was smooth and did not give the opponent any breathing space.

Look at the Nuggets again, Halliburton was injured, and the management immediately adjusted its direction, betting on external resources and substitute depth, and forming a more defensive front lineup. In contrast, the "silence" between the Lakers and the Warriors is more like a kind of overwhelmed waiting and watching.

Of course, both teams have extremely strong recruitment appeal. The Lakers have James and the Warriors have Curry and the Bay Area halo. Their "late move" may have their own confidence and strategies, or they may be waiting for big-name players to "get out" after reducing their value. But the risk is obvious: once you miss a capable and potential free agent such as Ayton and Bolpool, it is really a "small thing to wait for."

Looking back on the past few years, the "fast, accurate and ruthless" in the free market often determines the team's upper limit next season. The Celtics signed Holiday and Porzingis last year, and they won the championship with one step in place. Thunder is planning ahead around Shay and looking to the next five years.

As the league's traffic leaders and representatives of giants, the Lakers and Warriors should have clearer operating ideas, rather than watching others strengthen themselves quietly, and they are still hesitating. The market has entered a white-hot stage and there are not many big fish left. It’s time for the Lakers and Warriors to take action. If they don’t take action, they really can’t even make a bubble.