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Los Angeles Lakers: Four reasons they can make NBA playoffs

By Asha Doucet

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and head coach Luke Walton of the Lakers talk during a 2017 Summer League game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and head coach Luke Walton of the Lakers talk during a 2017 Summer League game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: Four reasons they can make NBA playoffs
AUBURN HILLS, MI – MARCH 28: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons shoots the ball during a game against the Miami Heat on March 28, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The signing of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Lakers signed veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-pope to a one-year, $18 million dollar deal, which was mutually beneficial. Los Angeles added a quality veteran guard without overspending and Caldwell-Pope got a mid-level max deal worth $2 million more than he would have made with the Detroit Pistons. Now Caldwell-pope can showcase his skills then rejoin the market next year for a long-term max deal he’s searching for.

But other than the numbers, Caldwell-Pope is a strong defender and an impressive three-point shooter. Those are both areas the Lakers struggled in last season. His ability to guard perimeter players and score the basketball make him just the two-way player Los Angeles needs. Caldwell-Pope also has a knack for slamming the ball home off of lobs, and with Lonzo Ball, at point guard, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to score at the rim.

Being able to play alongside Ball, mentor him and take some pressure off of him is maybe the best upside to his signing. Caldwell-Pope is certainly a better pick up than Rajon Rondo would have been; he was connected to the Lakers in free agent talks for quite some time. Caldwell-Pope can be a leader for Lonzo without the potential attitude issues.

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