Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Free Agents to consider signing this offseason
Andre Roberson
During the 2016-2017 season, Roberson played 79 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder, playing 30 minutes per game as he averaged 6.6 points and 5.1 rebounds on the year.
Roberson would provide little to no help in improving the Lakers three-point percentages next year, as he converted an abysmal 24.5% from deep while attempting just over 2 per game this past season.
However, Roberson makes up for his inability to stretch the floor through his phenomenal defensive tools. The quick and athletic guard/forward has a 6-feet-11 inch wingspan, which is the primary reason he received so much playing time as a starter for Oklahoma City last season.
In relation to Roberson’s defense, because he defends the oppositions best offensive weapon each game, his defensive field goal percentages do not tell the whole story, as they show that opponents shot 5.2% better from the field overall compared to the average when guarded by the 6-feet-7 inch Colorado product.
However, a statistic that clearly illustrates Roberson’s elite defensive ability is that he ranks in the 91st percentile in points allowed per possession at around .789, meaning he allows well under a point per possession, even against elite offensive talent.
Therefore, despite the fact that Roberson is virtually incapable of shooting from beyond the arc, which the Lakers need, at just 25-years old he is an elite defensive talent that could dramatically improve the Lakers atrocious defense with him on the floor.
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As such, he could very well be worth the price they may have to pay if they wish to lure the restricted free agent away from Oklahoma City.
*Statistical data courtesy of basketball-reference.com, nba.com, and sports.vice.com*