Los Angeles Lakers cannot ignore shooting in 2018 NBA Draft

The Los Angeles Lakers cannot ignore their need for shooting during the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Los Angeles Lakers made some big strides during the 2017-18 season. While they missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year, there were plenty of positives to take away.

First and foremost, the Lakers increased their win total by nine games over the previous season. Los Angeles also made a big improvement on the defensive side of the ball. After registering a defensive rating of 113 in 2016-17, which was last in the NBA, it improved to 108 in 2017-18, which ranked 12th.

The defensive effort was something Luke Walton was very proud of. The moves the Lakers made in the offseason proved worthwhile on that end of the court. Brook Lopez, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart helped turn the Lakers defense from a turnstile into a team that could get stops when need be.

Like any young team, the Lakers had their shortcomings. Injuries were a big issue. Once they got on a role, someone would go down with an injury. Julius Randle was the only player to appear in all 82 games. Kyle Kuzma, Lopez and Caldwell-Pope were the only other players to appear in over 70 games.

The Lakers are hoping that strength training will help improve the team’s durability going forward. Another area Los Angeles will look to improve upon is in 3-point shooting.

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3-point shooting has long been an issue for the Lakers. This past season, they ranked 29th in the NBA, connecting at a 34.5 percent clip. Their 10 made 3-pointers per game ranked 19th. Los Angeles was 22nd in 2016-17, last in 2015-16 and 17th in 2014-15.

Adding some long-range snipers this offseason would help take the Lakers to the next level. Los Angeles saw a lot of success in a fast-paced offense led by Lonzo Ball this season. If they can surround him with more consistent shooters, the offense should really take off.

Over at Bleacher Report, a recent article was written about mistakes each team should avoid in the 2018 NBA Draft. For the Lakers, their one mistake to avoid is ignoring 3-point shooting.

Here is what Bleacher Report had to say about their choice.

"The Los Angeles Lakers ranked 29th in three-point field-goal percentage, and that was with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who they could lose in free agency.It wouldn’t hurt to favor a prospect who’ll enter the league with a proven jumper, assuming that didn’t mean passing on someone who the team thought was the clear best player available.With Lonzo Ball running the show, surrounding him with shooters will only ehance his effectiveness as a passer.Khyri Thomas shot at least 39 percent from deep in each of his three years at Creighton. Aaron Holiday shot 40 percent or better every season at UCLA. Gary Trent shot 40.3 percent and made 97 triples as a freshman at Duke. Donte DiVincenzo, Jerome Robinson, Landry Shamet and Jalen Brunson are all late first-round options who shot at least 40 perent from three last season as well."

Bleacher Report raises a good point. This is a deep draft. The Lakers should be able to find a player that can help right away with the No. 25 pick. Adding a shooter becomes even more imperative if the Lakers do not re-sign Caldwell-Pope.

Depending on who the Lakers select could give a glimpse into their free agent plans. It is an open secret that Los Angeles is hoping to land max contract players.

Next: Lakers 10 Greatest Draft Picks of All-Time

Adding floor spacing and knockdown shooters will only make the roster more attractive for prospective free agents come July.

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