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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons Lance Stephenson was a bad signing

By Donny McHenry

LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 17: Magic Johnson President of Basketball Operations and Lance Stephenson of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 17, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 17: Magic Johnson President of Basketball Operations and Lance Stephenson of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 17, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. Lance Stephenson’s up-and-down 3-point shooting

One of the biggest gripes that the national media had with the Lakers free agent signings was the apparent lack of 3-point shooting. 3-point shooting figured to be one of the Lakers key areas to improve in the offseason, as they ranked second-to-last in 3P%.

They seemed to ignore that need, as Rajon Rondo and JaVale McGee aren’t 3-point shooters, while Michael Beasley is efficient, but on a low volume of attempts.

Lance Stephenson has had good 3-point shooting seasons, but for the most part, he’s been average or below average from deep. His best season in regards to 3-point efficiency was in the 2015-16 season, where he shot 40.4 percent from three, but on a low 1.1 attempts per game. His best season overall from three was probably his best overall season which was the 2013-14 season with the Indiana Pacers. In that season he shot 35.2 percent on 3.1 attempts.

His career seemed over in the 2016-17 season, as he bounced between three teams during the course of the season, while only playing in 18 games. His career re-surged last season with the Pacers, but it wasn’t because of his 3-point shot. He shot 28.9 percent from the 3-point line, with a below average 31.9 percent clip on catch-and-shoot threes, theoretically the easiest type of 3-point shot.

Rob Pelinka has referenced the young Lakers’ somewhat efficient 3-point shooting from last year in defense of the team’s free agency decisions, but that’s a lot of pressure on the young ones to improve the team’s overall 3-point shooting from last year.

The Lakers will need great improvement because a team who ranks second-to-last in 3P% will not likely make the playoffs in the Western Conference. LeBron James will obviously help, but Stephenson will more than likely not help unless he can reinvigorate his early career 3-point shooting.

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