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Los Angles Lakers should target Wayne Ellington in free agency

By Justin Hickey

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 20: Wayne Ellington #20 of the Detroit Pistons works the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 20, 2019 in Detroit, 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. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 20: Wayne Ellington #20 of the Detroit Pistons works the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 20, 2019 in Detroit, 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. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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With shooting being a need for the Los Angeles Lakers, Wayne Ellington would be a solid addition.

The Los Angeles Lakers will be in the market this summer for cost efficient guys that can shoot and are able to contribute now to help the depth around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. One guy who fits that bill is sharp-shooter Wayne Ellington.

Ellington has shown in his career that he is able to shoot the 3-pointer at a high clip, as he is a career 37.9% shooter. This includes one season with the Lakers back in the 2014-15 season where he shot 37% from deep.

As you look at the Lakers roster, the only constants at the moment are LeBron James, Anthony Davis and most likely Kyle Kuzma if a trade doesn’t come along. So the Lakers will be after one more star and then will need to round out their roster with guys on small deals ready to “win now”.

If the Lakers are able to land Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard or Kemba Walker they will be maxed out on money and then will need to start the process of guys on veteran minimum contracts. There is value out there, Ellington last year signed with Detroit late in the season because of opportunities received, he turned down more money elsewhere.

If the Lakers are willing to offer a role off the bench, Ellington should highly consider Los Angeles on the veteran minimum and he could provide LA with floor spacing that LeBron covets in guys. The positive about Ellington as well is his ability to spot start in situations, as he has 165 games started in his career.

The amount of space Ellington would have to shoot would sky rocket in LA as well, as he would get at the minimum five open corner 3-pointers per game and would most likely shoot above 40%. This would open up the floor for AD and LeBron to get to where they want, especially since both guys are a mismatch against any one-on-one matchup.

There isn’t many players in the game that have the vision of LeBron James and he would set Ellington up in his sweet spots. Ellington lines up with the likes of Kyle Korver, J.R. Smith, Mike Miller and others that thrive catching the ball from LeBron.

The Lakers could go two routes this offseason, which includes going after a third star and sucking up all their remaining cap, or rounding out their roster with smaller contracts. Ellington fits the mold either way, I believe with the right opportunity he would take the veteran minimum when his shooting puts him around the mid-level-exception range.

LeBron and AD would love to have a guy like Ellington that can stretch the floor and take stress off the middle of the floor, as shooting is at a premium in this league. Not many players have the ability to hit 3-pointers at the rate Ellington can when he gets going.

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Building around your star duo, it’s hard to do with cap strains, but at the right price, you can bargain hunt and find guys who can contribute right now. Ellington could be that guy, and provide to the Lakers what J.R. Smith provided for the Cleveland Cavaliers championship team in 2015-16.

Ellington is worth more than the veteran minimum and whether LA signs a big name or not, whatever the price, the value will produce.

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