Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers learned last season that they need to add more defense and shooting around their new star-studded triumvirate of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook. They attempted to fill out the roster last year by signing an entire retirement home’s worth of near-retirees.
While Wayne Ellington, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Avery Bradley, and the other veterans that the Lakers brought on were able to notch decent percentages from beyond the arc, their inability to do basically anything else besides hit wide-open 3-pointers at a league-average rate made it difficult for Los Angeles to succeed.
None of them were passable defenders last season, nor did they threaten opposing defenses enough to truly provide the spacing that LeBron, AD, and Russ needed to maximize their offensive talents.
So far this offseason, the Lakers have completely zagged from their roster-building strategy from last season. Rather than chase after aging sharpshooters who theoretically can play defense, LA has opted to acquire as many young athletes as possible, even if they’re not the most reliable shooters. So far, they’ve added Lonnie Walker IV, Thomas Bryant, and Scotty Pippen Jr.
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The Lakers could add athleticism, perimeter defense, and proven shooting by trading for Josh Richardson. Los Angeles will have reliable talent if they plan to make a deep playoff run next season and capitalize on another year of LeBron’s prime.
