Los Angeles Lakers: Five players facing make or break seasons

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes fun of a teammate while he poses for photographs with Julius Randle #30 Larry Nance Jr. #7 looking on during media day September 25, 2017, in El Segundo, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes fun of a teammate while he poses for photographs with Julius Randle #30 Larry Nance Jr. #7 looking on during media day September 25, 2017, in El Segundo, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope looking forward to playing with Lonzo Ball
EL SEGUNDO, CA- JULY 18: President of Basketball Operations, Magic Johnson and General Manager, Rob Pelinka introduce Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a press conference in El Segundo, California at the Toyota Sports Center on July, 18, 2017. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

KCP ended up with the Lakers this year only due to the craziness of the summer trades when Boston traded Avery Bradley to Detroit clearing cap space for their signing of Gordon Hayward.  Yes, Lakers fans this means KCP is no Avery Bradley.

In spite of all the talk about how Caldwell-Pope will be the defensive stopper and three-point shooter, the Lakers need to be realistic. The Pistons (yes the Pistons) basically cut him from their roster. No question he will improve the Lakers defense, how much remains to be seen.

A career 40 percent shooter, Caldwell-Pope hit only 35 percent of his threes last year, slightly above his career average. After four years in the league, is it likely that he will improve in this area? Maybe Ball will find him more open looks, as well as easy layups, and his shooting takes a jump? I know, I know, a little optimistic.

On a nice one-year deal for $17 million, KCP is looking for a big-time long term contract next summer. To earn that he needs to deliver, on both ends of the floor, this year. That’s good news for the Lakers as he will be looking to earn that contract and should show up every game ready to prove he’s worth it.

The breakout opportunity for KCP is to show the Pistons made a mistake in letting him get away.  Will he use that and his upcoming free agency as motivation to take his game to a higher level?  The real question; is there a higher level he can get to?