Feb 1, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward
Wesley Johnson(11) defends New York Knicks guard
Tim HardawayJr. (5) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 92-70. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Small Forwards
Starter – Wesley Johnson, 25 minutes
2nd String – Nick Young, 25 minutes
3rd String – (D-League Player), 15 minutes
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This is the position the Lakers are thinnest in, bar none. Johnson is the only true small forward on the roster and only team that are intentionally tanking would choose to continually start him. The problem is, the Lakers don’t have a choice but to start him. Kelly has been wildly inefficient as a small forward and the experiment needs to end as soon as possible.
After Johnson, the next best option at small forward in Nick Young, who will continue to split his minutes between shooting guard and small forward. He’s been good enough and his offense as the small forward spreads the floor for Lin and Clarkson to get to the rim easier.
The third string, as you noticed, needs to be a D-Leaguer. There are a couple options for the Lakers from their D-Fenders affiliate. Roscoe Smith and Jabari Brown are both options that have been consistently putting up solid numbers all season long. Recent acquisition Jamaal Franklin has impressed immediately with the D-Fenders and could see a call-up. No matter who it is, there needs to be someone brought up as a project.
Next: Power Forwards