After signing center Andre Drummond, the Los Angeles Lakers have one open roster spot remaining, presumably to be filled with a second addition from the buyout market (unless they buyout Marc Gasol, then they’ll have two spots).
The 2020-21 Lakers, like any team, always could have used a few tweaks, but since LeBron James joined Anthony Davis on the injury report, the defending champions have been borderline desperate for talent infusion. L.A. has lost five of seven since James went down, with the only victories coming against the bottom-feeding Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic.
In their latest effort, on Wednesday, the Lakers were trounced by the Milwaukee Bucks, 112-97, in Drummond’s odd debut. It started promisingly but ended with him losing his big toenail (shivers).
Drummond will miss a game or two, so it shouldn’t affect how the Lakers approach the market. The Lakers will look to add wing depth, though head coach Frank Vogel said the team will prioritize ability.
“We’ll continue to monitor what guys come available. I’m not really going to get into specific team needs or positional needs we’re directing that towards,” Vogel told the media. “It’s really more about probably what players become available that have the most intrigue and we feel could help us out the most rather than targeting a specific skill set or something like that.”
Adding another piece won’t come without its obstacles. L.A. has a treacherous upcoming schedule including a five-game East coast swing, with basically zero plans to formally practice. Like Drummond, any signing may become a rotation piece and will have to acclimate without James and Davis, before re-adjusting once again upon their return.
“We know we have a deep team, we’ve been playing really good basketball, getting better each game during this stretch and we’re confident that we can win,” Vogel said. “The schedule gets really tough over the next couple weeks but our group is gonna keep working, we’re gonna grind, we’re gonna prepare and we’re gonna believe in one another.”
In general, the Lakers’ primary need is three-point shooting, full stop. In the short-term, it’s scoring. The frontcourt is suddenly overcrowded, and the Lakers have maintained the top-ranked defense despite losing their fulcrums. Turnovers remain an issue, but they will tighten the screws when James is orchestrating and the moments really matter. Another capable ball-handler would come in handy, but it’s not as critical as shooting help.
The Lakers have been ice-cold since late January. Entering Thursday, they rank 26th in 3-pointers attempted per game, 28th in makes, and 24th in percentage. And that’s after a sizzling opening month.
Come playoff time, the Lakers’ unmatched ability to flip the switch may not necessarily apply to their shooting stroke. In the meantime, they need to hit threes in order to compete.
“I think we’ve got to shoot more threes,” while James and Davis are out, Schröder said last week. “Me driving and kicking out for open threes. I think it’s just good offense and THT, Alex Caruso and all them guards who can get to the rim or in the paint then find the extra pass for open threes. That’s how we’ve got to play right now.”
Vogel echoed the sentiment a day later. “We do need to shoot more threes,” he said. “But it’s really about the quality of threes, and it always has been. I don’t think that’s any different right now.”
Getting their long-range shots to go down clearly makes the difference in most games. The Lakers hit eight of 12 triples in Drummond’s first quarter on the way to an early lead. They made two of their next 24.
GM Rob Pelinka has the veteran’s minimum available to fill the 15th spot. Any player bought up before Apr. 9 is eligible to be signed for a playoff run.
-Drummond passing up $ from other teams to start for a contender ahead of free agency
-Lakers still have room to add a wing https://t.co/AxYbcpeWdf
— michael corvo (@_michaelcorvo_) March 28, 2021
Here are a few names to watch if they become available. Spoiler: If he can’t shoot, I’m not interested (apologies to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jabari Parker).
1) Otto Porter Jr.
A dream option. As a 6-foot-8 wing posting 39% three-point shooting on nearly four attempts per game, he perfectly fits the 3-and-D mold the Lakers are reportedly seeking.
Porter Jr. can switch everything on defense thanks to his 7’1 wingspan, and his low turnover numbers should be appealing, too.
What Otto Porter Jr. feels he can bring to this team 👇 pic.twitter.com/VCzuUSCO5j
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 27, 2021
It’s always felt like the 27-year-old has had an untapped gear. Perhaps being thrust into the title race ahead of free agency would light a fire.
If the rebuilding Magic cut him loose (far from guaranteed) and the Lakers get optimistic intel on his back, Porter Jr. would be more than worth a flyer.
2) Ben McLemore
I thought the Lakers should pursue Austin Rivers, who ended up joining Milwaukee — the most popular destination for buyouts, which somebody should remind small-market execs.
Alas. I will continue to bang the McLemore drum.
Frankly, the Lakers’ best shooting guard this month has been … Wesley Matthews. The 34-year old has knocked down 39.5% of threes over the past nine games (he’s questionable for Friday with a neck strain), while Alex Caruso has been mired in a shooting slump and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is making less than one trey per game since James’ injury.
More arrows in the bag is a welcome development, but it isn’t a recipe for sustainable success — especially with their top two scorers out.
AD liked what he saw from @Thortontucker & @WessyWes23. 🤣 #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/9xGT9ah4zA
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 19, 2021
By contrast, McLemore adds a dynamic the Lakers don’t have: a slashing two-guard with sneaky athleticism and knock-down shooting ability. He can defend at least two positions well.
🔥 15 DIMES for John Wall.
🔥 7 THREES for Ben McLemore.@HoustonRockets on NBA LPpic.twitter.com/kwz6qtHIRY— NBA (@NBA) March 27, 2021
McLemore has played down to his depressing surroundings with the Houston Rockets, but he shot 40% from three and averaged 10.1 points in 22.8 minutes in 2019-20 — his only opportunity thus far to play an integral role on a playoff team.
3) Avery Bradley
If the Lakers can’t nab a scorer, they may as well target an elite defender — especially one familiar with the system and the locker room. Bradley is respected amongst the Lakers for his pre-bubble contributions last year, and he’d surely be welcomed back with open arms.
If he can approach his 36.4% clip from three and nail open-looks, Bradley could play a crucial role in any playoff series.
Every veteran on the Rockets is a buyout candidate, and the 30-year old is no exception.
4) Wayne Ellington
Ellington would instantly become the team’s most accurate sniper. The veteran is nailing 42.6% of his threes in 2020-21, which would be the best mark on the Lakers, by far.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report went deeper:
His 42.4 percent clip from downtown only tells part of the story. He’s banging in 45 percent of his above-the-break threes, the third-highest mark in the league among 144 players who have launched at least 100 of those triples. And his 67.4 effective field-goal percentage coming around screens ranks second among everyone who has taken as many shots on those possessions.
Reportedly, the Pistons don’t plan to free Ellington. That could change.
5) Kyle Korver, who is not officially retired
Just kidding. But seriously.
BTW, if you’re wondering: what about Kelly Olynyk? He’s undeniably one of the five best players who could hit the market. But his three-point shooting (30.8%) nor defense is worth further log-jamming the frontcourt. Plus, I’m not sure LeBron is a huge fan.
