Former NBA star Rasheed Wallace offered a pretty hot take regarding the Los Angeles Lakers' hopes to repeat. Wallace appeared on ESPN's First Take and suggested that Anthony Davis is the' most important piece if they win back-to-back championships this season.

“I think he’s [Anthony Davis] the pivotal piece for the Lakers. No disrespect to Bron and the other guys out there, but AD seems to me as that pivotal piece for the Lakers to repeat. Of course he has to stay healthy. It’s going to be hard. I’m not saying it’s a cakewalk for the Lakers even when AD comes back. Because as you said, you’ve got Phoenix, you’ve got Denver, you’ve got Utah, and you’ve got Portland. It’s definitely going to be a race.”

 

Of course, it goes without saying the Lakers still need LeBron James for any hopes to win a championship. However, as Wallace suggested, it's going to be tough for Los Angeles to come out in the loaded Western Conference if AD isn't healthy. The Detroit Pistons legend definitely has a good case here. While James is the engine that drives their offense, Davis is the anchor for Los Angeles' defense.

Both superstars have been on the sidelines for Los Angeles. Davis has been out since Feb. 14 due to a calf strain, and the Purple & Gold have been extra cautious in dealing with the 6-foot-10 forward's injury. Meanwhile, James has been out for nearly a month due to a high ankle sprain.

Davis has had a rough campaign so far, appearing in just 23 games in the regular season. Recent reports from the Lakers claim that Davis is nearing a return to the floor.