The Los Angeles Lakers have been dealing with injuries to their star duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Their depth has been tested as a result, but they were able to add some more this afternoon from NBA free agency.
It is being reported that the Lakers have agreed to a deal with Ben McLemore, who was waived by the Houston Rockets. Shams Charania of The Athletic shared the news and added, via Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, that McLemore’s contract is for the remainder of the season with the Lakers.
This is a good signing for the Lakers, as McLemore will give them some more depth on the wing. The former Kansas product is also a proven 3-point shooter, something Los Angeles was desperately in need of alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers are 24th in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, making only 35.1 percent of their attempts. They are 27th in makes per game at 10.7 and 25th with 30.5 attempts per game.
While McLemore has struggled to knock down perimeter jumpers this season, making only 33.1 percent, he is a 36.3 percent 3-point shooter in his career. In the last two seasons, 2018-19 with the Sacramento Kings and 2019-20 with the Rockets, McLemore knocked down at least 40 percent of his 3-point attempts.
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Outside of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Los Angeles hasn’t received much help in terms of floor spacing from their wing players. Wesley Matthews has made only 34.1 percent of his 3-point attempts thus far this season.
Ben McLemore is the second player that the Lakers were able to nab on the buyout market. Center Andre Drummond, who was bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers, was the first. However, Andre Drummond is currently sidelined as he deals with an injury to his big toe during his debut in the purple and gold.
