Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Vitals

Age: 32

NBA Experience: 11 Years

Contract Status: Free agent

2011-12 Averages: 3.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 16.2 mpg, 45% FG, 66% FT, 41% 3PT

Hard to believe that once upon a time Troy Murphy was putting up Pau Gasol type numbers. Obviously that was a very long time ago in NBA years. During the 2011-12 season Murphy was nothing like the double-double machine he once was in the Bay. In L.A. Murphy was a role player without a true role.

In typical Mike Brown fashion Murphy’s playing time varied from game to game. One night he’d be logging 20+ minutes and the next he’d spend the evening seated with Jason Kapono for the entire game.

Aside from his inconsistent PT Murphy also found it difficult to get into any type of a rhythm. Known as a spot up three-point shooter Murphy’s stroke was off and on. He shot a respectable 41% from deep but it seemed like most of those makes were at inconsequential moments of a game. If he was lucky enough to be on the court at a crucial moment Murphy’s shot would disappear like his PT in the playoffs.

Once Jordan Hill worked his way into Coach Brown’s rotation Murphy was a forgotten man which pretty much sums up his future as a Laker. Having inked just a one-year deal it looks like the odds are long of Murphy coming back. Going forward the Lakers must become younger and more athletic. Murphy, while still a quality vet, offers no support in either category.

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

The Los Angeles Lakers already boast of arguably the greatest perimeter scorer in the history of the game. Nobody has the total offensive package that Kobe Bryant has developed over the years. From his unlimited range to his ability to get into the paint and play with his back to the basket Bryant is the ultimate dynamic scorer.

Once upon a time you could marry Kobe’s talents with a legit low-post player and you had yourself the building blocks for a title team.

Not anymore.

As we learned this season the new look NBA features teams that are more and more reliant on perimeter players as opposed to the guys that do work in the paint. If this were the NBA of, oh, three years ago then the Andrew Bynum-Pau Gasol duo would have been enough to partner with Kobe for the quest to hang another banner. As we know that theory got burnt to a crisp by the speed and execution of Oklahoma City and their perimeter oriented attack.

Now the game might be going through a transition but it’s not going to completely change. Size is still supreme. It’s just that these days you’ve got to be able to stretch defense in order to free up space for the bigs.

A player like L.A. native and current Clipper Nick Young comes to mind as the type of player the Lakers could use. The ability to shoot from deep mixed with the talent to take defenders off the dribble is exactly what the Lake Show is lacking.

This is by no means a knock on Kobe as he’s still more than capable of breaking down an NBA defense with ease. All I’m saying is getting another player with similar abilities would stand to make life easier for Bryant. You saw what happened when Ramon Sessions was on his game. Kobe could finally breathe easier knowing he didn’t have to set the table and score. Imagine his relief when he can get another knock down shooter to kick the ball to.

Jason Kapono was supposed to be the Lakers’ three-point threat this past season. About the only thing the former Bruin threatened was Luke Walton’s seat at the end of the bench.

Truth be told the Kapono signing was a bad fit from the start. The Lakers don’t just need a shooter to camp out. They need a player that can hit open shots and create for themselves. Let’s just face it. This is a new era and the twin towers of L.A. are already outdated. Already there is plenty of talk concerning Gasol’s future as a Laker. He’s been traded once for a perimeter player so it wouldn’t be shocking if it happens again. Hopefully this time the trade will actually go through.