Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the players on the 2019-2020 roster (5-1)
By Ethan Temkin
4.) Danny Green
3&D wings are the most precious commodity in the NBA right now and the Lakers lucked out by signing one of the very best in Danny Green. According to ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus statistic, which they started tracking in the 2013-2014 season, Green has ranked 1st or 2nd in four of the last six seasons amongst shooting guards. He most recently finished 1st in RPM this past season with the Toronto Raptors edging out other elite SGs like Jimmy Butler, Victor Oladipo, and Bradley Beal.
For the Lakers this season, Green should thrive in an offense spearheaded by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He’s one of the league’s best catch-and-shoot players and will most likely see the most open looks since his days in San Antonio.
On top of being asked to space the floor, the Lakers will be relying on him heavily to guard the opposing team’s best wing, which he has a stellar track record of doing. Last season according to CleaningtheGlass, whenever Green was on the floor opposing teams scored -4.8 points per 100 possessions. Offensively, his contribution was just as valuable, as the Raptors scored a scorching +12.6 points more when he was on the floor.
Green is a player who has made clear, and obvious positive contributions to his previous teams and there’s no reason to doubt that he will continue this with the Lakers. His offense may be limited, but his elite perimeter defense will be a boon for this team.