Lakers: Potential FA Pick Ups in Darius Miller and Patric Young?

The Lakers need players to fix the holes on offense and defense.  Two players were waived by the New Orleans Pelicans today.

While it’s very clear that the Lakers lack consistent perimeter shooting, they did have one of their best outings against the Timberwolves with 38.1% shooting behind the arc.  While that percentage isn’t mind-blowing, the Lakers are currently third-worst in the league in three-point shooting, at just 30.5%.

That percentage isn’t high enough to make the three-point shot beneficial.  When this Laker team takes one, it’s just a bad shot.

Darius Miller is known for his shooting prowess.  However, he is expanding his game.

Notice during the highlight video, that Darius Miller is playing the back up point guard position.  He isn’t just spotting up for three-point shots.  He is setting up teammates.  He is taking mid-range jumpers.  When he plays off-the-ball, he shows his three-point range.

Wayne Ellington is a great shooter, but Miller adds the dimension of ball-handling on the floor.

Patric Young is from the University of Florida.  The undrafted rookie from the NCAA Championship University of Florida team is known for his power in the painted area.  What he lacks in finesse skills, he makes up for with thunderous finishes, hard fouls, and rock solid screens.

While he needs a lot of work on the offensive end, the Lakers could use some power in the paint.  The Lakers like to use length and energy with Jordan Hill and Ed Davis.  Robert Sacre gets subbed in for some muscle.  Patric Young can use those physical skills on a team that’s desperate for rebounding and points in the paint.

Best of all, it’s unlikely that the Disabled Player Exception will need to be used.  A contract for the rest of the year for each player can provide some much needed shooting and muscle, on a team that lacks identity on both ends of the floor.