Lakers Would be Foolish to Risk Losing Robert Upshaw for Good

The Lakers made a brilliant move when they secured a summer league commitment from Robert Upshaw directly after the draft.

After deciding to pass on the highly-touted center Jahlil Okafor in favor of D’Angelo Russell, the move was especially significant. The Lakers were able to secure a prospect at the center with lottery level talent and potential, while still drafting a talented guard.

Unfortunately, since then, the Lakers have seemingly been determined to render that move worthless. After Upshaw flashed impressive potential in the summer league and preseason, they decided to release him in favor of Robert Sacre, who has a firm hold on the fourth string center spot. Ironically, Sacre does not even suit up for games.

First of all, the fact that they were willing to release a high-upside player to keep a player who can’t even crack the third unit shows a disturbing lack of foresight. The reasoning behind this was that the Lakers would benefit more this season from Sacre’s experience and locker room presence, while Upshaw’s contributions would come later. As the Lakers were clearly a rebuilding team, that reasoning was laughable even before the season. After a 2-8 start, however, the Lakers should really be rethinking their priorities.

the fact that they were willing to release a high-upside player to keep a player who can’t even crack the third unit shows a disturbing lack of foresight

If the Lakers realign their priorities with reality, they’ll realize that Robert Upshaw fits perfectly with their young core. Julius Randle is an exceptional prospect at the four, but lacks the length to protect the rim. Upshaw compliments him perfectly in this regard, and in other areas as well.

Although many have complained about Upshaw’s uneven performances in the preseason, the struggles he experienced were no different than those that any young player experiences. Lakers fans have watched D’Angelo Russell struggle through similar difficulties in adjusting to the NBA game, with both players seeming to have issues with the speed of the game.

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In fact, Robert Upshaw showed flashes of potential that even his strongest supporters did not expect. He demonstrated a shockingly effective turn around jumper, and a serviceable jump shot out to twenty feet. In fact, his offensive game was far more rounded than that of the average shot-blocking rookie.

Of course, the issues with Big Block Rob go beyond his on court performance, as personal issues have haunted him for some time. However, since arriving on the Lakers he has shown a willingness to mature and put in the work, losing an impressive twenty-five pounds before the preseason.

He has also remained impressively positive and respectful, despite being treated fairly poorly by the Lakers organization. One example of that was Byron’s strange assessment of what had been an impressive performance for Upshaw. Despite issues like this, as well as frequent and sometimes unfair criticism in the media, Robert Upshaw showed diligence by deciding to play in the D-League rather than pursuing more money overseas.

"Overseas is a better opportunity than this one is, financially, but I’m not here for those reasons. I’m here to become a great basketball player and if I have to go through this, I’m going to do it… I’m definitely going to be playing basketball in the NBA. I don’t see myself playing ball overseas for a while. It’s just always been a goal and I’ve never given up, I’ve never quit."

With the Lakers short on picks for the next few years, a more developed Robert Upshaw could be the perfect consolation prize for a team without a first round pick.

Fortunately for the Lakers, Upshaw is playing with the Lakers’ D-league affiliate the D-Fenders. The problem is, he is effectively a free agent who can sign with any other team. After his first showing, in which he recorded 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while throwing down a vicious dunk, it’s only a matter of time before another team picks him up.

Upshaw built on this performance in his second game, continuing to play effective defense. He continued to look more active on both ends of the floor, using his hands to create turnovers and pressing the ball handler in the pick and roll.

Even more impressively, Upshaw drained a three-pointer in the first game, showing that his jump-shooting in the preseason was no fluke. He also showed improved handles, looking comfortable handling the ball and even shooting off the dribble. His free-throw form also looked much better, with him burying the two he took in each game, and earning impressed remarks from the commentators. Wearing Kobe Bryant’s number 24, it seems that Bryant’s work ethic may have had a profound impact on Upshaw in the short amount of time they were around each other.