If the Lakers got themselves a starting forward, they could essentially reorganize their depth chart in a way that solves the backup center problem internally. Is a tandem of Mamu and Looney at the backup center spot the most exciting of combinations? A new forward allows Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kevon Looney to split Lakers' backup center minutesWhether it is Jonathan Kuminga, P.J. The Lakers do not have strong means to secure both a starting forward and a backup center via trade. Those are the games when Looney can step in as the backup center and give the Lakers his hard-nosed brand of basketball.