5 Players the Lakers Should Have Found a Way to Keep
By Hannah Kulik
May 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) shoots the ball during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
6. Honorable Mentions:
If I were to award honorable mention in this category it would go to Trevor Ariza, Gerald Green, and Jodie Meeks. In a recent article I expressed my view that letting Ariza leave a few years ago after winning a championship was a terrible blunder. Green was on the L.A. Defenders during the 2011-12 season and was one of the best players, if not the best player, in the D-League. The Lakers could have used his outside shooting but they ignored him and he went on to have a solid NBA career most recently as a key member of the Phoenix Suns.
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Finally, after the 2013-14 season, the Lakers chose to give Nick Young a long-term contract and let Meeks depart. That mistake speaks for itself. Meeks is a hard worker, a solid citizen, and a great outside shooter. He has the potential to be a Fisher or an Horry – the key role player who is needed on every good team. The Lakers desperately needed his reliable outside shooting this past season but he was gone.