:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53225035/159578391.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Lakers met with former Milwaukee Bucks center and lottery pick Larry Sanders on Monday, according to Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum Sportsnet. Sanders last played in the NBA during the 2014015 NBA season, after which he retired due to “anxiety and depression” for which he checked himself into treatment for.
There have been rumors every so often since that Sanders could be gearing up for a return, and if he could approximate some of the shot-blocking skills he showed when at his best, he could certainly help the Lakers’ rim protection. Los Angeles is currently allowing their opponents to shoot a league-worst 66 percent within six feet of the basket this season, according to NBA.com.
The Bucks allowed opponents to score less than 100 points per 100 possessions while Sanders was on the floor in four of his five seasons in the NBA.
Lakers head coach Luke Walton sounded like he was impressed with what he saw from Sanders during his NBA days:
Luke Walton on Larry Sanders, who met with Lakers today. "He was a great rim protector, great rebounder." He last played in 2014.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) February 13, 2017
There are hurdles to adding Sanders. For one, he would have to feel certain he was ready for a return to the NBA lifestyle, and that Los Angeles was the best place for him to do so. The Lakers would also have to waive or trade a player off of their roster in order to open up a spot, as the team is currently carrying the league maximum of 15 players.
Stay tuned to Silver Screen and Roll for more on this story as it develops.
All stats per NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com. Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.