Three-Point Shooting
The Lakers were not a good three-point shooting this past season. They ranked 22nd in three-point shooting percentage, making only 34.6 percent of their attempts from deep. They weren’t much better in three-pointers per game, making 8.9 per game, ranking 19th.
Ball would help the Lakers out immediately in that area; he made 41.2 percent of his three-point shots at UCLA last season. Ball also has range on his three-point shot, as he is capable of knocking down jumpers well beyond the three-point line.
The Lakers are in desperate need of floor spacers with Nick Young opting out of his contract. Their second best three-point shooter from last season, D’Angelo Russell, is also on the move. Part of acquiring Brook Lopez was to help space the court, but the Lakers will need more players to knock down perimeter shots and Ball is more than capable.
His shooting does come with a caveat. Ball has a very unorthodox release. It is something to keep an eye on in the early going on his career. Will he have to adjust his shot release to compensate for the better defenders he will be facing?